The Dedham Field of Dreams

“People will come, Ray. The one constant through all the years Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It’s been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game, is a part of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that once was good, and that could be again. Oh, people will come, Ray. People will most definitely come.”  - Terrance Mann (James Earl Jones), “Field of Dreams”

Atop of my Favorite Movie List, “Field of Dreams” never disappoints.  Aside from the fact that I can’t make it through without crying (I mean, come ON, when Ray asks his Dad if he wants to have a catch? I can hardly type it without welling up), it is the best baseball movie of all time. Perhaps the only thing better is the real deal.

As luck would have it, we Dedhamites are about to get just that.

Last weekend, the 9-year old Summer Baseball team made history by winning the Eastern Mass State Championship title! The 2012 Dedham 9s – 11 boys, 1 girl and 3 Dads/Coaches – showed heart, sportsmanship and courage as they came out of the losers bracket to bring the trophy home. If you’re not “a baseball family,” I can tell you that beating the odds in this fashion is incredibly hard to do; seeing a team of kids accomplish it is truly inspiring.

Two years ago I was lucky enough to have a son (and a husband) on the 2010 Dedham 9s who placed second at States and third at New Englands; I can honestly say it was one of the best experiences of my life. The team spirit and camaraderie was so special that we found the entire town rally around us.  Individuals and businesses opened their wallets so that 12 families could afford to spend a week playing in the final Tournament. Newspapers and websites covered the games extensively. Governor Patrick personally presented the boys with a state flag for the Opening Ceremony. Families all over town followed Facebook posts and Tweets during the games, and many even traveled two hours each way to watch them in person. It became a source of pride for so many people in Dedham and brought the town together.

Starting on August 3, the 2012 Dedham 9s head to Hebron, CT in their quest to bring home the first ever New England title. The fundraising has already started – from a 9:15 showing of “The Sandlot” this Saturday morning at Dedham Community Theatre to a “Pirate Happy Hour” at the Farmers Market on August 1st (all Dedham Youth Baseball players drink Jack & Eric’s Pirate Lemonade for free) – and that’s just the beginning. 

These kids, with their maroon hats and worn-in gloves, will represent our little town on a field in Connecticut and we will be reminded “of all that once was good, and that can be again.”  Gone will be arguments about bunnies in Veterans Parks.  The lines that divide the school districts will be forgotten. No one will care if there’s enough parking in the Square.

For that week, on that field, it will be one team. You’ll know the names JoJo, Andrew, Scottie, Eric, Matt, Alex, Liam, Jack, Shea, Frankie, Maddie and Will as well as their numbers, batting averages and outstanding plays. And if you think that driving two hours to watch a 9-year old baseball game when your own child doesn’t even play is silly, think again.  It’s inspiring. We wouldn’t miss it.

Get ready, Dedham, for an experience that will unite us. Take a day off, pack up the car and bring your family and friends to be a part of this awesome experience.  And to the 9’s and their coaches Mike, Vinnie and John, we’ll see you in Connecticut.

We will come, 9’s. We will most definitely come.

For more information about the league and a schedule of all Tournament games, go to: www.dedhamyouthbaseball.org or like the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/dedhamyouthbaseball