St. James Smithtown Little League Scores Big

The St. James Smithtown Little League has had quite the impressive run this year.

The 12-year-old team is just one victory away from what they call the ultimate Tween Dream: they’re headed to the Little League World Series.

“When I was younger, I always watched the Little League World Series games on TV,” said designated hitter Gary Rocco. “I thought, ‘I want to be out there.’ I kept that thought in my mind, and now, here we are. Almost there.”

The Bulls from North Shore on Long Island are gearing up for a crucial match against Fairfield National for the Metro Regional Championship at 7 PM on Friday, taking place in Bristol, Connecticut.

ESPN will be showcasing this highly anticipated rematch, especially since the Bulls bested Fairfield 6-1 earlier this week in the winner’s bracket semifinals. St. James Smithtown’s starting pitcher, Jeremy Cutts, mentioned, “This game is going to be the biggest of my life.”

“You really need to stay composed and just breathe,” said Katz, a New York Home Run Derby champion and a fan of local legend Craig Biggio.

“If we can pitch a complete game, it would be surreal… achieving a championship shutout would be like a storybook ending,” he added.

Excitement Peaks

Katz highlighted the remarkable ups and downs throughout the season, likening it to something out of a film.

After a rocky start in the district playoffs last year, the team faced another setback this summer when they lost to West Sayville, but they rallied to defeat their rivals twice and secured their place at the state tournament.

Center fielder Chase Saxon noted, “Those were some tough games, probably the hardest. But we just knew if we could get past that, we’d be heading to the state tournament—and we did, and confidence just soared from there.”

They showcased their skills in an impressive 18-0 victory in Burrillville, Rhode Island, marking the beginning of their pre-game practice of light meditation, inspired by fielder Kevin Moran.

“It keeps us calm, it really helps,” said designated hitter Hunter Falcone.

With spirits high after days of practice and some lighthearted wiffle ball games, third baseman Lucas Costas said, “I think we can do this as a team.”

The Bulls have shown they’re a stronger team than last year. “We’ve been hitting great and our pitching has been solid. We’re just better overall,” a player shared.

This impressive performance caught the eye of former Met Frank Catalanotto, a Smithtown native who played Little League himself.

“They look poised to continue their run, so I believe they’ll be just fine,” said Catalanotto, who currently coaches Hofstra baseball. “I see them maintaining their brand of baseball.”

The players have also garnered excitement back in their hometown. “Everyone’s talking about it, it’s all anyone here can think about,” Catalanotto observed, expressing hopes for a significant victory.

More Than Just a Game

DH James’ father, Scott Santelli, who manages the team, shared that his son—and the other boys—gained perspective from interacting with professional athletes during a thrilling but pressure-filled summer.

Scott couldn’t help but cheer as his team celebrated their latest win over Fairfield earlier in the week.

“To be able to share this experience with my sons now, and years down the line, it’s something we’ll remember forever,” he said with pride. “Not many dads get the chance to have this connection. I’m really enjoying every moment, especially with my baseball family.”