NAUGATUCK — A baseball bat striking a leather-bound hardball at Peter J. Foley Little League usually sounds like a ping from an aluminum barrel or occasionally the unmistakable crack from a wooden bat.
On Sunday, the sound was more subdued as yellow plastic bats met white plastic and perforated balls, causing a hissing sound on their way from the mound to home plate. The sound of children having a good time — cheering for friends, rooting on teammates and celebrating home runs — was as beautiful as it ever was at what is known as the oldest Little League stadium in New England.
The Little League season has long been over for most players, but you wouldn’t have known that on Sunday, when 78 local children participated in the tournament. The chilly weather didn’t faze players, who donned long pants and sweatshirts to keep warm.
Boys and girls ranging from 5 to 12 played in a triple-elimination tournament. Several Wiffle Ball fields were set up throughout the complex and multiple games were held at once. The players paid $5 apiece to cover the cost of bats and balls. The remainder of the money will go toward the Little League.
“We wanted to keep the price as low as possible to allow all of the kids an opportunity to play,” said organizer Bob Allen. “We expected maybe 50, 60 kids, but we had kids signing up until the last minute. … They are having a blast.”
The event was the first held by the newly formed 501c3 nonprofit organization, NaugySports, which looks to raise money for youth sports organizations. Allen said the group plans to make the Wiffle Ball Tournament an annual event and hold a dodge ball tournament in the winter.
