The town of Delmar, along with state police from Maryland and Delaware, the Wicomico Sheriff’s Department, and the Delmar police and fire departments welcomed the Delmar Major League all-star team home from the World Series in Greenville, N.C. in style on Tuesday afternoon. The team received a police and fire escort back to the Little League fields where it was greeted by a large group of supporters.
The Delmar Major softball players, coaches, and team mom pose for a photo at the Mason Dixon sign after arriving home on Tuesday. Photo by Mike McClure
The team, which won the district, state, and regional championships to advance to the World Series, went undefeated in bracket play to move on to the championship game before falling in extra innings to place second in the world. Delmar Little League was founded in 1958, with the league starting softball in 1990. This year’s team is the first Delmar team to win the regionals and move on to the World Series. Among the teams Delmar defeated in bracket play was Connecticut, which beat last year’s Delmar team in regional play and went on to the World Series.
“I’m very proud of how you represented the state of Maryland, the town of Delmar, and Delmar Little League,” said Delmar Little League President Roger Waters.
“I can’t say enough of how proud you’ve made us as a town and a community,” Delmar (Del.) Mayor Michael Houlihan said.
“I’ve never yelled at a tv as loud as did the other day. You have put us on the map for softball,” added Delmar (Md.) Mayor Ben Jorden.
Delmar manager Mark Naugle has gone to the regionals seven times, but this year was the first time he has taken a team to the World Series.
“To see all of you out here is just incredible. We’ve (Delmar Little League) worked hard to get here,” Naugle told the crowd. “I think we earned this one.”
“In the Little League world, the World Series is the Taj Mahal. Little League (Greenville) did a great job of putting it on. The people were so nice,” said Naugle, in an interview with the Star. “If you had a bucket list, this would be on it. Check it off.”
Naugle said he had to charge his phone two or three times a day because he received so many text messages from community members showing their support for him and the team. “The support has been phenomenal,” he added.
“All of these fans supporting us from back home is really exciting,” said Delmar pitcher Macy Rickards.
