By Yaw Bonsu
The summer of champions is not done yet.
Massapequa Little League supporters crowded the streets to celebrate not one, not two, but three Little League state championship teams across baseball and softball. Park Boulevard in Massapequa was the epicenter of the celebration hosted by Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, with Blakeman proclaiming Aug. 31 as Massapequa Little League day.
The celebration included the 12-year-old team that made it all the way to the Little League World Series, the first Long Island team to do so since 1978. Each player received a citation from Long Island officials after being paraded and drenched with cheers from the Massapequa crowd.
Massapequa’s Williamsport journey ended after two losses, 12-0 to the West Region champions and 7-1 to the Mid-Atlantic Region champions. Nonetheless, Wednesday was about more than going winless in Williamsport, but making history for not only Long Island but also the state.
The Long Island Advocate caught up with team manager Roland Clark in an exclusive sit-down interview to discuss the team’s LLWS run, what’s next for the boys and much more.