Coming off a state championship in Easton and a New England Regional title in Chelmsford, Mass. in July, the Newtown 9U Hawks baseball team represented the region in the Cal Ripken World Series, in Ocala, Fla. in early August.

Newtown team parents noted that it has been years since a Newtown team won regionals and advanced to the national level. The Hawks faced fierce competition from teams representing Hawaii, Bahamas, and Florida. The team was there for ten days and played nine games. Two Newtown players, pitcher/shortstop Austin Luczak and catcher Christopher Evans, each received a gold glove (award for their outstanding defense throughout the tournament). The Hawks won three of the nine games and left Ocala with their heads held high, walking away with an experience of a lifetime. The community of Newtown rallied around these 12 boys and made the trip possible.