2014 -- H 7521

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LC004483

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CONGRATULATING THE LINCOLN LITTLE LEAGUE TEAM ON WINNING THE 2013

RHODE ISLAND STATE LITTLE LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP AND PLAYING IN THE 2013

LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES

     Introduced By: Representatives Ackerman, O`Grady, and Costantino

     Date Introduced: February 25, 2014

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, The Lincoln Little League Team won the 2013 Rhode Island State

Championship in dominating fashion, going undefeated with a 9-0 record against Rhode Island

competition and outscoring their opponents 102-12. Yet, as good as these young men are on the

field, they’re even better people off the field. While playing in the State Tournament, they learned

the story of Cory Burke, a young man who had played baseball for King Phillip Little League in

Bristol, Rhode Island, and who was having a tough battle with cancer. Once the Lincoln Little

League youngsters won the State Title, they were as excited about spreading Cory’s story on the

national stage as they were for themselves for advancing to the Little League World Series; and

     WHEREAS, In their first practice after winning the State Championship, the players

wore “Cory won’t fight alone” tee shirts and bracelets provided by player Patrick Gribbin, who

had previously met with Cory’s family and the King Phillips Little League coach, and dedicated

their play in the Little league World Series to Cory and his fight against cancer; and

     WHEREAS, In the Little League World Series early rounds, playing teams from New

England, the Lincoln Little League Team went 3-1 in pool play, earning the right to play in the

New England Semi-Finals against Vermont, the only team to beat Lincoln during the regular

season. The rematch was played on NESN with Cory sitting in the stands and his story hitting the

national airwaves. Lincoln gained revenge and beat Vermont to advance to the New England

Championship game on ESPN. With Cory’s story spreading nationally, Cory was chosen to throw

out the first ball in the New England Championship game; and

     WHEREAS, In a hard fought game, the Lincoln Little League team lost a 1-0 decision to

Westport, Connecticut. However, prior to the championship game, the Lincoln Little League

Team was unanimously chosen to receive the overall Sportsmanship Award for all 12 states in the

Eastern Region of the Little League World Series; and

     WHEREAS, The success of the Lincoln Little League Team in 2013 was not due to the

leadership or play of any one individual. Rather, their success was a complete team effort due to

the hard work and tireless dedication of Blake Zaniol, David Bordieri, Stephen Andrews, Zarek

Larisa, Kyle Marrapese, Marty Gaughan, Tyler Santilli, Nathan Kumar, Patrick Gribbin, Aaron

Desousa, Dominic Cunha, Braedon Carney, and Connor Benbenek, along with superb coaching

provided by Coaches Gordon Zaniol, Marty Gaughan, and Manager Matthew Netto; now,

therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby congratulates the Lincoln Little League Team on winning the 2013

Rhode Island State Little League Championship and playing in the 2013 Little League World

Series; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Lincoln Little League Team Manager Matthew

Netto.

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