Sandlot baseball a relaxed opportunity to play Little League

Windham fourth-grader Mason Clapp throws a pitch during a 
Windham Little League Sandlot baseball game at Ciccerone 
Field at Lowell Farm in Windham on Aug. 3.
PHOTO BY MATT  PASCARELLA  

By Matt Pascarella

After very successful summer and All-Star seasons, Windham Little League baseball and softball is closing out the summer with a Sandlot league.

In the Sandlot league ball, there are no umpires and no coaches. Strikes, balls and outs are loosely kept track of, and the score isn’t as important as having fun and playing the game fairly.

The second Sandlot game of the season was played at Ciccerone Field at Lowell Farm in Windham on Wednesday, Aug. 3.

In Windham’s Sandlot league, players ages 7 to 12 are given the opportunity to play with other players from softball and baseball that they don’t often compete against in the regular or All-Star seasons.

Some of the older players outside that age bracket are invited to play and help teach the younger players.

Windham Little League President Tim Gaudet said that the Sandlot league is important because it gets kids out of the house later in the summer and gives them a chance to hang out with their friends while playing America’s favorite pastime.

While the games are more about fun and less about score, participants are having a blast playing Sandlot.

Windham players had several nice hits during the second Sandlot game: sixth-grader Ryan Manning singled to left field, home-schooler Jordan Tom doubled, freshman Belle Pinto and third-grader Brooke Legere both singled; first-grader Jack Bisson also got a couple good hits during the game. 

Windham sixth-graders Gianna Lane and Maddie Valliere say they enjoyed playing in the Sandlot games. They said it’s more intense to play with the boys, but the more aggressive game is fun.

“It gives [Jack] an extra opportunity to play with older children, learn from them, just stay involved with Little League,” said Windham parent Meaghan Bisson.

Bisson said Jack is given more confidence during the sandlot games. For Jack to be able to play with and learn from the older kids in a relaxed setting has improved his hitting.

This is the fourth or fifth year that Windham Little League has had a Sandlot league. While the league is a no-pressure, no-score game where the objective is fun, sometimes Gaudet will take the opportunity to teach an individual the correct way or rule behind a play.

Windham fourth-grader Mason Clapp said he likes getting together with all the players for a Sandlot game. He’s not used to playing alongside softball players, but it’s still fun.

Sandlot league helps players grow athletically and socially.

“I know kids that have never played before came out and played Sandlot when they were younger and now, they’re in our Majors program,” said Gaudet. <