Darien Little League heads to Metro Region Tournament with LLWS berth on the line

Well, I remember all the hometown excitement last summer when Fairfield National finished third in the world at the Little League World Series. Now, these sluggers from Darien Little League are just a few wins away from a trip to Williamsport themselves. No team in Darien has done this since 1961. It's been 65 years in the making. I'm going to cry, but they're just special boys. After winning the state championship, Darien Little League is ready for its next challenge. We're hoping for a trip to Williamsport. We've had games where we've been down and they've had to come back. We've had walk-off wins. This team is never out of it. They have to get through the Metro Region Tournament in Bristol first. The team had their final tune-up Thursday night. Teamwork, connection, making sure we trust each other, putting the ball in play, hoping for the best. I'm kind of known for praying the rosary in the outfield. I light candles for the boys at church every single game day. Interim manager Joe Passione says competing for a chance to go to the Little League World Series is like a dream come true for the kids. We've had to play a lot of games an hour, an hour and a half away from home. We always have more fans than the other team, and I think it's going to be the same in Bristol on Saturday. The team leaves for Bristol Friday morning. Darien will play New Jersey in the first round of the Metro Region Tournament Saturday night. In Darien, I'm Justin DeVellis, News 12.