Little Leaguers pass the torch

By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — Even though Little League season is over, there was still some unfinished business for the Machias Savings Bank Team which they dispatched last Wednesday afternoon with plenty of smiles and high energy.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks
WINNERS AND SPONSORS — The Machias Savings Bank Little League team handed over their winning trophy so it can be displayed in the Houlton branch of the bank. From left, in front, are: Jodi Crandall and Jackie Jones of Machias Savings Bank. Next to them are: team players Cody Shaw, Patrick Howe, Isia Bouchard, Garrett Ring and Nick Cowperthwaite. In back are: Caleb Tribou; Jacob Worthley; Don Dee, coach; Ryan Dee; Brian Howe, assistant coach; Mitchell Bragan and Ben Boutilier. Not present were: players Josh Beaton and Hunter McLaughlin and Eric Cowperthwaite who is one of the coaches.
    The boys, each one wearing a bright red team shirt, officially handed over the winning trophy to their sponsors while standing on home plate of the baseball field adjacent to Houlton Elementary School.
    Jackie Jones, Machias Savings Bank branch manager in Houlton and Jodi Crandall, a Houlton teller, accepted the winners’ trophy. Jones said it “will be on display in back of the teller line where everyone will be able to see it.” Jones added that “the team is fantastic, and made a big commitment with a lot of dedication to go as far as they have.” Crandall added: “They did a great job. It’s a good team.”
    After accepting the first-place award, Jones and Crandall proceeded to pass out baseballs stamped with the Machias Savings Bank logo to each team member. Not surprisingly, the boys immediately started tossing the balls to each other demonstrating their skills. The bank did not overlook the coaches and gave them baseball caps stamped with the bank logo as well.
    The team won 16 of their 17 games. Twelve games were in the regular season; five in the playoffs. Caleb Tribou said putting in all the work to win “was tough.” And, all the players agreed it felt good to come out on top.
    When asked about the winning play, Isia Bouchard, 10, who pitches and plays centerfield, explained that it was a jumping catch by 12-year-old shortstop Garrett Ring. How did it feel? Ring said it was “Faaantabulous!”
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks
GREAT GIFTS — Looking at their unexpected gifts, from left, are: Isia Bouchard, Cody Shaw, Jacob Worthley and Caleb Tribou who showed off their excitement about the baseballs from their sponsors — Machias Savings Bank — after handing over the winning trophy which will be displayed in the Houlton branch of the bank.