Everett Little League Williamsport stars begin district tourney tomorrow morning at Sacramone

By Joe McConnell

It’s that time of year again when the best 11–12-year-old Little League all-stars throughout the state start competing against their neighboring communities in the district portion of the Williamsport Tournament, the granddaddy of all baseball competitions on this age level.

Last year, the Everett Little League stars (5-1), managed by Joe Young, won District 12 after narrowly defeating Melrose in the title game, 2-1. They then went on to participate in the State Section 3 Tournament, where Canton came out on top to advance to the state finals. Parkway, Wellesley and of course Everett were the other sectional opponents.

Marc Harr, who just guided the Red Sox to the Major League championship Tuesday night at Sacramone Park as their head coach, is the manager of this year’s Williamsport team. The Sox (14-4) defeated the Angels, the regular season champs, 5-3 in the third and deciding game to take home the title. Harr’s squad, who finished second during the regular season, also beat the Rays, the third-place team, in the first round two games to one.

Harr scheduled his first Williamsport practice Wednesday night ahead of his team’s first district game tomorrow (June 29, 10 a.m.) at Sacramone Park against the winner of the South Boston / Dorchester contest. Everett received a first-round bye.

The 2024 Major League-winning championship head coach is carrying 13 on the Williamsport roster. “We have six or seven capable pitchers and four solid catchers on the roster, while the rest of the team has the talent to play multiple positions,” Harr said, “and from top to bottom they are also good hitters.”

Daniel Harr, Shane Gaskill and cousins Joseph and Denzel Reyes are the team’s top four pitchers. Catchers Davin Graham, Allie Grant, Natalia Negron and Jason Oliviera will split the time behind the plate.

Throughout the past few days, Harr is getting to know his personnel, and where to play them in the field. But by tomorrow morning, they will be in place to begin the district tournament, again at Sacramone Park. “We have a bunch of universal players right now, who are capable of playing multiple positions,” Harr said.

Billy Kotsiopoulos and Billy Gaskill are Harr’s assistant coaches, who are now helping him get the players ready for the long journey ahead.