Special to the Times-Free Press
The East Boston Little League Major Division playoff finalists were taking the field for Game 2 Tuesday night at Festa Field.
Manager Brendan O’Brien’s Mariners were looking to lock up the title in their best-of-three series against Manager Nick Free’s Athletics. Game 3 (if necessary) would be played today (Wednesday at 5:45 p.m.) at Festa Field.
Free, who is in his first season as EBLL president, said that 120 players, ages 5 to 12, participated in the 2023 season.
“That’s an increase of 35 players from last season,” said Free, who succeeded president Chucky Cassaro, who excelled as the longtime leader of Eastie’s youth baseball organization.
Free said the league will begin its fall season during the first week of September. The awards banquet is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 21 at Spinelli’s, East Boston.
The league will present individual trophies to all players at the banquet. Sweatshirts will be presented to the league’s championship team. The graduating 12-year-old players will also receive awards.
Free said he will be returning as president for the 2024 season. Parents have lauded Free for his rebuilding of the organization following the pandemic.