Tri-Township 'Running Down A Dream'

Is it the team mohawks?

Or perhaps the Tom Petty they blast at practice?

Who knows their secret, but the boys on the Tri-Township U15 Babe Ruth baseball team are doing something right.

Next week, they’re headed to the Babe Ruth World Series in Jamestown, N.Y., where they will compete against the top 10 teams in their age group for the title.

The team came out on top at the Middle Atlantic Regionals earlier this month, going undefeated in that tournament after winning the Pennsylvania state championship in July.

Now, they’re packing their bags for the trip of a lifetime and coach John Bucsek thinks they’ll be coming home winners.

“They have an unbelievable desire to win,” Bucsek said. “They love to play. If you put them on concrete, they are going to dive for the ball.”

Tri-Township’s home field is at the Middletown Grange in Wrightstown Township. The team is made up of 15 boys from the Newtown area, ages 15 and under.

Head Coach Ken Irwin said it’s the team chemistry that makes them hard to beat on the field. “There are 15 of them. It’s hard to keep that many guys happy but they enjoy being around each other,” he said.

First baseman Devin Birch said he’s excited to start playing in the World Series. It’s Birch’s first year with the team. “Coming down here to play with them this year has been awesome,” he said.

Maybe they have the perfect team chemistry, excellent baseball skills and the desire to win. But like any good, old-fashioned American team, that doesn’t stop them from having their superstitions and traditions.

Take the haircuts, for example.

At practice Thursday, Birch pulled off his cap to show off a cut that about half the team shares – a mohawk with a tail in the back.

Plus, they have certain songs that get them pumped up. “Running Down a Dream by Tom Petty is our song,” Bucsek said. “Whenever they see me come into practice, it’s blasting.”

All superstitions aside, Bucsek said he thinks Tri-Township is going to bring home the title of all titles this year. “It’s going to be tough but every time they get to the next level, they bring it up a level,” he said.

If their performance at the Middle Atlantic Regionals is any indication, Tri-Township will certainly give any opponent a run for their money. They outscored their opponents during that tournament 65-9.

The team kicks off World Series play Saturday, Aug. 20 at 12:05 p.m. against New England.

Check back to Patch for updates and the latest standings. Click here to go to the Babe Ruth World Series website, which has schedules and standings.