36 Years in the Making: Dedham 12's First Town Team to Win SYBL Championship

By Marcus Cherry

In 2010, a group of 9-years old boys -- the Dedham 9's -- played and won their first Cal Ripken District 4 Championship. This summer, the Dedham 12's, with the same core of players, ended their last appearance on a Little League diamond the same way they began four years ago -- as champions.

The Dedham 12's beat a powerful and strong Walpole National team, 4-2, with a total team effort paced by strong pitching, timely hitting and base running, and as always, great defense. During the trophy celebration, the SYBL (Summer Youth Baseball League) representative, stated that in the SYBL'S 36-year history, this is the first Dedham team of any age group to win the SYBL Championship.    

This summer, the Dedham 12's won their fourth consecutive Cal Ripken District 4 Championship, qualified for their fourth consecutive Cal Ripken State Tournament, and were finalists in the Stoughton Invitational Tournament. During their four-year run, the team was the  2010 9-year old Cal Ripken State Tournament Finalist, 2010 9-year old Cal Ripken NE Regional Semifinalist, and 2011 10-year old Cal Ripken State Semifinalist.  

Coaches Andrew Shumway, Mike Nosky, and Dan Maher taught these young men how to compete, never stop fighting, loose with grace, and win with class.  
  
Here is a a snapshot since the summer of 2010, of the Dedham 12's accomplishments:

2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 Cal Ripken District 4 Champions (1st ever)2010 Cal Ripken State Finalist (1st ever)
2010 Cal Ripken NE Regional Semi-Finalist (1st ever) 
2011 Cal Ripken State Semi-Finalist 
2013 Stoughton Invitational Tournament Finalist
Four Cal Ripken State Tournaments, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 
2013 SYBL 12A Champions (1st Dedham Team to Win in 36-years)