St. James-Smithtown Little League Celebrated with Parade After Regional Success
Fire trucks blared as the St. James-Smithtown Little League team paraded through Smithtown, a fitting tribute to their remarkable journey in the Little League World Series regional tournament.
Returning home as local champions, the team was honored by a community that rallied behind them, culminating in a parade on Sunday. “This is a great way to go out. … We put our towns on the map,” said Bulls manager Scott Santelli, reflecting on the support they received. The team fell short in the Metro regional final, losing 12-1 to Fairfield National from Connecticut, yet their achievement as New York state champions remains significant.
“Hopefully this is the first of many,” Santelli added, expressing optimism for future teams. The parade began at a local firehouse at 10:30 a.m., with fans cheering as the boys made their way to Town Hall, celebrating their accomplishments.
In recognition of their success, the team was presented with the first-ever key to Smithtown. “All of Suffolk County is proud of this team,” county executive Ed Romaine remarked, highlighting the community's enthusiasm, which included fans traveling to Connecticut for the title game and packed bars hosting watch parties.
Local businesses joined in the celebration, with a Stop & Shop creating special Bulls-themed cupcakes and a nearby pretzel factory crafting twists shaped like the team's logo. “Everyone came together to show their support. … We can’t wait to see what you do next year,” Romaine said.
The players were still reveling in what Santelli described as a “once-in-a-lifetime experience.” He recalled a moment when he and his sons were recognized at a sporting goods store near the Bristol field after their games aired on ESPN.
Pitcher Kevin Moran also experienced newfound fame, being recognized at a diner in Connecticut over the weekend. “I think the visibility that this is going to give the town is going to help our Little League prosper and get bigger,” Santelli noted.
For Jeremy Katz, who triumphed in the New York state home run derby, this summer felt like a taste of the big leagues. His mother, Jodi, shared how the community's efforts to celebrate the boys made a lasting impact. “Everything that everybody’s been doing just to make them feel special and appreciated has been amazing — and the boys noticed that. It puts a smile on their faces,” she said, adding that they are compiling a scrapbook of news articles for Jeremy.
After Friday's loss, Santelli was emotional, grappling with the end of his time coaching these boys since their early elementary years. Yet, he found solace in Sunday’s festivities and looks forward to one last trip to Cooperstown next week for an end-of-summer tournament with his “other family.”
“I can guarantee you no other team has had a going-away party like our team has,” he stated proudly. Jodi Katz expressed her gratitude for Long Island's overwhelming support for these young athletes. “We’re going to remember this feeling of warmth and support forever,” she said. “It makes us so proud.”
