State Senator Tony Hwang is planning a celebration Friday, August 11, following Newtown's 9U Blue Hawks state and regional championships, and their return after competing in the Cal Ripken World Series in Ocala, Fla.

The event will be held at Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main Street, at 4:30 pm.

A release from Hwang's office notes the Babe Ruth Baseball Program and its Cal Ripken Division affords players ages 4-12 the opportunity to compete in local, state and regional tournaments, with a rare few reaching the World Series. The primary goal of the Cal Ripken division is keeping baseball fun, especially in the early stages of youth baseball.

Babe Ruth Baseball combines using regulation competitive baseball and softball rules, teaching skills, mental and physical development, a respect for rules of the game, and basic ideals of sportsmanship and fair play. In all aspects, Babe Ruth League and its leaders and coaches are committed to providing our participants with the very best educational, sports experience possible.

Newtown won the state title in early July, sending them to the Cal Ripken New England Regionals where eight teams from Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Maine, and Connecticut all competed for the title.

Newtown 9U team members, coaches and families will be honored and will be joined in the celebration by Hwang along with other town and state officials. The public is encouraged to attend to cheer and support Newtown's Little League World Series contenders.

Read more about the lead-up to the 9U Blue Hawks trip to Ocala in the current edition of The Newtown Bee and HERE.

Editor John Voket can be reached at john@thebee.com.