By Kim J. Harmon

Four straight state titles, four straight New England Regional titles, and two trips to the World Series – it would be a feat likely unrivaled in the annals of Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken baseball and a feat the Newtown Blaze 12-year-old All Star team will be seeking to accomplish starting this weekend at Glander Field.

Since the Blaze formed as a 9-year-old group in 2003, they have gone 42-4 in Cal Ripken-sanctioned tournaments, winning four District 4 championships (winning 16 of 17 games along the way), three state championships (winning 12 of 12 along the way) and three New England Regional championships (winning 12 of 13 along the way).

And in 2004, the Blaze traveled to Vincennes, Indiana, for the Cal Ripken World Series and finished fourth overall while winning two and losing two.

If the magic continues for the Blaze, a trip to Aberdeen, Maryland, for another World Series appearance could be in the cards.

“The team this year is exactly the same as the last two years,” said manager Bill Kneisel. “Even with the  age change for all youth baseball, as a league we have chosen to allow families to decide what is best for their sons. So, whereas many of the other teams have gotten older, we have stayed same, and the net result is that this will be our toughest year as the competition has gotten very strong.”

The Blaze will continue look to Sean Burson (shortstop), Colin Morris (utility infielder and outfielder), Ryan Powers (centerfield), Jack Kneisel (first base), Austin Bonadio (pitcher/outfielder), Sean Ross (second base), Chris Tenney (catcher), Oliver Powers (pitcher/outfielder), Will Arndt (infielder/outfielder), Dom Fedak (pitcher/catcher), Curtis Droniak (pitcher/outfielder) and Ryan Tita (pitcher/third base).

But while this group has amazing power at the plate, strong glove skills in the field, and nasty stuff on the mound it is merely the team to beat; West Norwalk, New Canaan and Southbury are also legitimate contenders for state and regional titles.

“There is pressure on the kids and every team out there is focused on beating Newtown,” said Kneisel, “but these kids have nothing to prove and win or lose it is absolutely no reflection of the success of the season in the coaches eyes. Sooner or later, the team will get beat … we hope that it’s not this year, but if it is, nothing can take away from the success this team has had.”

West Norwalk may be the second best team in New England right now. Due to an age change which allows for some older kids, West Norwalk has added four or five new players with a top player switching from Little League to Babe Ruth. Newtown edged West Norwalk, 7-6, in an eight-inning affair this season and the Blaze draws the same squad in the first round of the states at 10 am on Saturday.

“That game will give the winner a huge opportunity to win the tournament,” said Kneisel, “as the loser would then have to win six in a row.”

New Canaan is similar to West Norwalk in that it has gotten a little bit older, adding four new starters. Southbury is also improved, adding three new players … but the Blaze has had some success against Southbury this summer, winning three of four meetings.

“The bottom line is that this summer is gravy for these kids,” said Kneisel. “This is a chance to make history and go the Aberdeen for the World Series, but, if it stops here we will celebrate a great run on the small field and prepare the kids for the big field come September.

Kneisel manages the team and is assisted by coaches Dave Bonadio and Dusty Tenney.