The 1951 District Eight tournament emcompassed a large part of the state. Thus, a two bracket playoff sysyem was used. The District Eight included teams from Willimantic, Norwich, New London, Manchester, Rockville, and Windsor Locks. The host sites were Rockville and New London.

Before a crowd of 1,200 fans Norwich defeated Thompsonville 7-6.

The game was scoreless heading in to the last of the fourth. Norwich scored six runs.

Thompsonville scored five in the fifth.

Norwich scored a run in the bottom of the fifth to take a 7-5 lead.

Thompsonville in the sixth inning had their first four batters reach safely to make it a 7-6 game. Thompsonville then had two runners thrown out at home. However, they reloaded the bases. Don Gongola lined a shot that pitcher Ray Abraham leaped to catch to end the game.

Joe Murphy was the Norwich stater and he was relieved in the fifth by Ray Abraham.

Thompsonville started with Jimmy Rinaldi. He was replaced in the fourth by Don Gongola

For the third consecutive year, Middletown in 1951 was the host of the state championship for Little League baseball However, because of more teams involved in the program through out the United States, the Connecticut champion would meet the Rhode Island champion in a best of three series. That winner would proceed to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

In 1949 and 1950, the Connecticut tournament was held at Municipal Field. In 1951, the host site was Mario Sudano Field at the Connecticut Valley Hospital on Asylum Street (Eastern Drive).

The state champion team will be awarded the Arthur McGinley trophy. The second place team would receive the Malloves trophy. Individual trophies will be presented to each member of the championship team. All players and managers would be given baseball charms in recognition of their participation in the tournament.

In 1951, Connecticut had 66 teams participating in the district tournaments.

The Connecticut-Rhode Island Series was set with game one on August 15 in Connecticut, August 16 in Rhode Island. The third game, if necessary, would be played on August 18. The site would be determined by a coin flip.

MIDDLETOWN v. HARTFORD Nationals
SUNDAY, JULY 29, 1951

The Pat Kidney All Stars of Middletown won their District One title by defeating Portland 5-2.

Pat Kidney defeated East Hampton 10-6 in their first game.

Pat Kidney took their second game by beating Colchester 12-0 behind the five hit pitching of Jack Welch.

Pat Kidney started with Jack Welch on the mound and the Hartford Nationals sent George Fay to the hill.

Pat Kidney scored a run in the top of the first. John Statham singled. Lee Vereen was hit by a pitch. Joe Louis Davis walked to load the bases. George Fay then retired the next two batters. Herman Cooper singled in Statham. Jack Welch struck out. Pat Kidney left the bases loaded.

Hartford tied the score in the last of the first. Left fielder Joe Meucci homered.

John Statham homered in the top of the second with two out. Pat Kidney led 2-1.

George Fay homered in the bottom of the second to tie the game.

In the third, Hartford took the lead. Joe Meucci and Steve Ingalls singled. Charlie Golden hit into a force out that scored Meucci.

Hartford scored six runs in the fourth to grab a 9-2 lead. Jack Welch walked the first four batters. He was replaced by Aaron Wise. W @ øise walked Steve Ingalls to force in another run. Two errors and hits by Don Abbate and Bob Carlson closed out the scoring.

In the fifth, Hartford used two hits, a walk and an error to score three more runs.

George Fay walked one and fanned nine.

Joe Meucci had three hits and four RBIs.

MILFORD v. NEW BRITAIN
SUNDAY, JULY 29, 1951

The Milford Little League All Stars overcame five errors to edge New Britain 3-2.

Milford scored a run in the bottom of the third. With one out, John Casey, Milford's defensive star, walked. Ernie Oliver singled to right. Casey stopped at second. When the right fielder bobbled the ball both runners advanced a base. Vincent Hawes, a soap box derby winner, hit a ball off the pitcher's glove. Hawes was thrown out at first but Casey scored.

In the top of the fourth, New Britain took a 2-1 lead. Jim Buckwell singled to left. Pat McHugh reached on an error. Bob Spring grounded to shortstop Bill Morse. He stepped on second to retire McHugh. Morse's throw to first went into the stands. Buckwell scored. Spring was awarded second. Ron Peterson grounded to third, but third baseman Ron Peck's throw was wild. Peterson was safe and Spring scored.

Milford took back the lead in the last of the fourth as they scored twice. Bill Morse and Ron Peck each singled. Elliot Burton was safe on an error. John Barbieri was hit by the pitch to force in Morse with the tying run. At this point Bob Thompson was replaced on the mound by Grove Steele. He got John Casey to ground out that forced Peck at the plate. Ernie Oliver lined a single to center that scored Burton. Milford had a 3-2 lead.

In the sixth, New Britain had runners on second and third with two out. Burton then struckout Grove Steele to end the game.

Bill Morse and Ernie Oliver each had two hits for Milford.

ANSONIA v. STAMFORD
MONDAY, JULY 30, 1951

Ansonia had captured the District title the previous day by defeating Naugatuck 7-4 in ten innings. Their ace, Joe Gibsky, was ineligible to pitch in this game. Ansonia manager Frank Berlinger decided to send Jerry Heffernan to the mound.

Stamford captured their District Six championship game by defeating Fairfield 6-2. At the conclusion of the game, three special awards were presented. Andy Wasil was named as the outstanding pitcher and the outstanding player. Stamford catcher Bobby Ferrara was named as the outstanding hitter.

Andy Wasil fanned 14 batters to lead the Stamford All Stars to a 4-2 win over Ansonia. Wasil hurled a four hitter.

Stamford scored a run in the top of the first inning. Leadoff batter Mickey Lione had an infield single. Tori Fauci drew a base on balls. Andy Wasil popped to pitcher Heffernan. Bill Pustari hit a grounder to second baseman Patsy Golino who bobbled the ball. Lione kept running and scored. Heffernan closed out the inning by fanning Bob Ferrara and Dom Lacerenza.

In the third, Stamford scored two more runs by going deep. Mickey Lione led off with a home run. Tori Fauci slammed the ball over the fence and it was 3-0 for Stamford. Bill Tenedine replaced Heffernan on the mound. He walked the first two batters he faced in Wasil and Pustari. Bob Ferrara struck out. Dom Lacerenza grounded to first baseman Denny Taylor who fielded the ball. Taylor wanted to throw to second but no one was covering the bag. Bases loaded. First baseman Taylor then turned in an unassisted double play to end the inning. Prior to that play, Charley Sepaski had become the Ansonia pitcher.

Ansonia scored a run in the last of the third. The first two batters were retired. Johnny Giovacchino walked. Patsy Golino singled to left. When left fielder Lacerenza bobbled the ball the Ansonia runners moved to second and third. Mike Valenti singled to left to score Giovacchino. BillTenedine grounded out to end the inning.

Stamford added an insurance run in the sixth. Charley Sepaski walked Lacerenza and Ed Ciskowski. Frank Robotti was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Pinch hitter Daniels struck out. Mickey Lione hit into a fielder's choice that scored Dom Lacerenza.

In the last of the sixth, Ansonia rallied. With one out, Mike Valenti singled. Bill Tenedine doubled with Valenti moving to third. A passed ball brought home Valenti and let Tenedine move to third. Bill Tenedine attemptedto score on a pitch that got away from the catcher. He was out by ten feet. Andy Wasil fanned Joe Gibsky to end the game.

WATERBURY v. NORWICH
TUESDAY, JULY 31, 1951

Coaches Larry Mullen and Harry Melvin of Waterbury had to decide who to pitch in their opening game. The choice was between Dave Grady or Al Valerio. Both were right handers.

Norwich was expected to throw their ace, Phil Lobacz. Ho was listed as a slender right hander.

Before a crowd of 1,000 fans, Waterbury rallied from a 5-0 deficit to defeat Norwich 10-5 at Sudano Field.

Norwich scored two runs in the top of the first. A walk to Ouimet, a double by Ray Abraham, and a single by Phil Lobacz accounted for the scoring.

In the third, Norwich added three more runs. Singles by Oiumet and Abraham started off the inning. Errors and sloppy infield play allowed three runs to score.

Waterbury responded with a four run rally in the last of the third. The first batter was retired. Elmer Deschaine and Al Valerio each walked. A wild pitch allowed both runners to advance a base. Ronnie Zoolack singled to center to send Deschaine and Valerio across the plate. On the throw home, Zoolack went to second. A wild pitch sent Zoolack to third. Johnny Jones walked. Jones and Zoolack pulled off the double steal. Tom Grady struck out. Marty Sweeney singled to center to plate Jones.

Waterbury won the game with a six run fourth inning. Dan Perrone walked. He moved to second on a passed ball. Roger Zailiskas doubled to score Perrone. The game was tied. George LaCapra and Elmer Deschaine each walked to load the sacks. Ronnie Zoolack hit a sacrifice to deep center.

Johnny Jones singled to bring in two runs and an 8-5 lead for Waterbury. Left handed Tom Grady then hit a home run over the right field fence. It was now 10-5.

Winning pitcher Al Valerio pitched a four hitter. He walked two and fanned six.

Phil Lobacz struggled with his control as he walked seven while striking out three in three innings plus. Joe Murphy who relieved in the fourth, walked two and had three strike outs. Murphy allowed two hits.

HARTFORD v. MILFORD
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 1951

The Hartford Nationals started George Fay on the mound. He had pitched his team to an opening round victory over the Pat Kidney All Stars of Middletown. Milford sent John Daddonna to the mound.

The Hartford Nationals scored three runs in the top of the second without a base hit. A hit batter, two walks and two errors brought home three runs. In the third, Hartford added a run. Steve Ingalls singled and advanced to second on a passed ball. Ingalls scored on Charlie Golden's single to right.

Hartford put the game away with a five run fourth inning. Hits by Dom Dinunzio and Ray Ransom combined with three errors, and three walks gave the Nationals a 9-0 lead.

Milford scored their lone run in the last of the fourth.In fact Milford got their only hit of the game in the fourth. With one out, Ernie Oliver walked. He moved to second on a passed ball. Oliver went to third on a balk. John Daddonna hit a shot to third. Third baseman Steve Ingalls blocked the ball. His throw to first was too late. Oliver scored and Daddonna had a base hit.

John Daddonna pitched into the fourth inning when he was relieved by Elliot Burton. In his three and two thirds of pitching, Daddonna gave up four hits, four walks and fanned eight. Burton gave up one hit, walked one, and struckout three.

Winning pitcher, George Fay, hurled a one hitter. Fay walked four and recorded seven strikeouts.

The game featured an excellent running catch by Joe Meucci, the Hartford left fielder, off the bat of Ken Hawkins.

The win moved the Hartford Nationals into the state title game against the Stamford-Waterbury winner to be played on Thursday evening.

WATERBURY v. STAMFORD
THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 1951

The Waterbury newspaper described the Stamford Little League All Stars as "a big club, overwhelmingly impressive with its size!".

In their semifinal game, Stamford used the pitching tandem of Bill Pustari and Andy Wasil to defeat Waterbury 5-0. The Waterbury team was limited to one hit - a first inning single Dan Perrone.

Bill Pustari went the first three innings. He gave up one hit while walking five and having six strikeouts. Andy Wasil in his three innings of work faced nine batters and fanned seven.

Stamford started the scoring with a two run second frame. With one out, Bob Ferrara singled to center. Dom Lacerenza homered over the right center field fence.

In the third, Mickey Lione beat out an infield hit. With two out, Andy Wasil stepped to the plate. He hit a shot over the left field fence. It was now 4-0. Bill Pustari singled. Bob Ferrara reached on an error. Dom Lacerenza singled to chase home Pustari. It was 5-0 And with Wasil now on the mound the lead was safe.

Waterbury had chances to score in the first three innings, but Pustari got the big outs when he needed them. In the first, Waterbury left one runner on base as Perrone singled. In the second, Waterbury received three walks but left the bases loaded. In the third, Waterbury received two more free passes, but, could not score.

Dave Grady was the Waterbury starter and he pitched into the fifth inning when he was relieved by Sam Leisering. Grady had ten strikeouts and walked two. The two walks came in the fifth inning. Grady gave up seven hits. Stamford was led by two hits each by Mickey Lione and Dom Lacerenza. The Waterbury team did not record a single put out at first base.

In his tournament appearances to date, Stamford's Andy Wasil had a record of 3-0. In twenty one innings, Wasil had given up eight hits and recorded 47 strikeouts.

With their victory, Stamford moved into the 1951 state championship game against the Hartford Nationals. The pitching match up was expected to be Andy Wasil for Stamford and Steve Ingalls for Hartford.

HARTFORD v. STAMFORD
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 1951

Andy Wasil pitched a one hitter with 13 strikeouts to lead the Stamford Little League All Stars to the 1951 Connecticut championship. Final score Stamford 3 Hartford Nationals 0.

In the third, Stamford scored two runs. Mickey Lione had a single. He moved to second on a wild pitch. Tori Fau~i~hit a single to center to score Lione. The ball bounced by center fielder Dom Dinunzio and Fauci ended up on third base. Andy Wasil hit a sacrifice fly to deep right that scored Fauci.

In the fifth, Tori Fauci reached on a two base error. He scored on Andy Wasil's single. Stamford might have scored a few more runs but were thwarted by the Hartford defense. In the fifth, leadoff batter Allen Yeager lined a shot that Mike Claffey stabbed at short. The next batter, Mickey Lione hit a fly to deep center. Center fielder Dom Dinunzio reached abo the fence to catch the ball.

The Hartford Nationals made a run at Stamford in the top of the sixth. Wasil retired the first batter. Mike Claffey hit a roller between first and second. Both the first base man and the second baseman thought the other fielder would go for the ball. Neither did. Claffey was safe at first. Andy Wasil's no hit bid was ended. An upset Wasil walked the next two batters Ray Ransom and Dom Dinunzio. The bases were loaded with one out. The Stamford manager went out to calm down Wasil. Wasil then fired three blazing fast balls past Joe Meucci. Steve Ingalls hit a high pop to shortstop Mickey Lione who caught the ball. Stamford was the 1951 Connecticut Little League champions.

Andy Wasil struck out the first seven batters he faced and eight of the first nine. In fact, Wasil retired the first 16 batters he faced. Twelve of the sixteen were by strikeout.

The crowd at Mario Sudano Field was estimated at 1,000.

At the conclusion of the game, Middletown Park and Recreation Superintendent, John W. English, presented the trophies to each team. Steve Ingalls accepted the second place trophy for the Hartford Nationals. Mickey Lione and Andy Wasil accepted the championship trophy for Stamford.

The total attendance for the tourney was 9,000. The Hartford Times stated that due to the low attendance figure the 1952 state tourney would be moved out of Middletown.

Stamford would now meet Westerly, Rhode Island in a best of three regional series for the right to play in the 1951 Little League World Series in Williamsport,Pennsylvania.

Game One, Vine Street Field, Stamford, CT
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 1951

The Connecticut champion, Stamford, faced the Rhode Island champion, Westerly, in a best of three playoff series. The winner would advance to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

Before a crowd of over 3,000 at Stamford's Vine Street field, Stamford shut out Westerly 6-0 behind the pitching dominance of Andy Wasil.

Wasil hurled a no hitter and had twelve strikeouts. Only two Westerly base runners were permitted by Wasil. Both runners reached base in the first inning. Westerly batter Frank Reale was given first base via catcher's interference. Reale moved to second on a passed ball. He stole third. Bill Lazarek hit a grounder to second baseman Allen Yeager. Yeager fired a strike to catcher Bob Ferrara who tagged our Reale. Lazarek tried to steal second and Ferrara threw him out as the tag was applied by shortstop Mickey Lione. Andy Wasil retired the next fifteen Westerly batters.

Stamford scored four runs in the bottom of the first frame. Mickey Lione flied to right but the ball was dropped and Lione hustled to second. Tori Fauci walked. Wasil grounded to second to force Fauci. Wasil stole second. Bill Pustari singled to score Lione. Wasil went to third and Pustari made it to second on the throw to third. On an error Wasil scored. Bob Ferrara lined a shot over the right field fence and it was 4-0.

In the fourth, Bill Pustari homered over the center field fence and Stamford had a 5-0 lead.

Reggie Beers replaced Westerly's starter, Finizio, in the fourth inning.

Andy Wasil completed the scoring by homering in the fifth.

With the chance of rain moving into the area the game was started fifteen minutes early. In the last inning there were a few scattered showers. Shortly after the last out was recorded it poured.

Both Connecticut and Rhode Island were permitted to send two umpires to work the games. Rhode Island declined. All four umpires were from Connecticut. Joe Rafferty of New London was the plate umpire. The base umpires all from Middletown were Al Gagney, Walt Dusza, and Al Pusz.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H	E
Westerly, RI	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4
Stamford	4	0	1	0	1	x	6	4	1

Game Two, Westerly, Rhode Island
THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 1951

The two teams met the next evening in Westerly, Rhode Island.

Stamford used the four hit pitching of Billy Pustari to defeat Westerly 8-1. The win gave Stamford the 1951 Region II championship and a berth in the 1951 Little League World Series.

Pustari walked one and struck out seven. team at the plate with two hits. Pustari paced his team at the plate with two hits.

Reggie Beers was the Westerly starter and pitched into the sixth inning when he was replaced by Laing. Beers had a rabbit's foot attached to his belt for good luck. It did not help. Beers gave up only four hits. He walked one and fanned six.

In the third, Stamford scored three runs. Ed Mazurek reached on an error and Allen Yeager was on first with two out when Andy Wasil stepped into the batter's box. Wasil drove the pitch over the left field fence for a three run homer.

In the fifth, Mickey Lione reached on an error. Tori Fauci homered. It was now 5-0.

Stamford added three more runs in the sixth. Dom Lacerenza opened with a single. Pinch hitter Angie Aulenti walked. Pinch hitter Frank Robotti forced Aulenti at second. Allen Yeager walked to load the bases. Mickey Lione grounded to third. The throw went home, but the Westerly catcher did not tage the base and Lacerenza was safe. Tori Fauci walked to score Robotti. An error allowed the third run to score.

Westerly scored in the sixth to avoid a shut out.

The umpiring crew was the same group that had worked the first game in Stamford. Joe Rafferty was at the plate and on the bases were Al Gagney, Al Pusz, and Walt Dusza.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H	E
Stamford	0	0	3	0	2	3	8	5	2
Westerly, RI	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	4	3

---

---

1951 Little League World Series
Williamsport, PA

Eight Regional champions from around the United States met in Williamsport,Pennsylvania to play in the World Series. It was a single elimination tournament.

THE SCHEDULE
OPENING ROUND
Stamford,Connecticut vs, Potter-McKean,Pennsylvania Pensacola,
Florida vs. Fairmont,West Virginia
North Austin, Texas vs. Portland,Maine
San Bernardino,California vs. North Town of Chicago, Illinois

SEMI FINAL ROUND
Conn-Penna Winner vs. Florida-West Virginia Winner
Texas-Maine Winner vs. California-Illinois Winner

CHAMPIONSHIP
The Two Semi Final Winners

For Pensacola, Florida this was third consecutive trip to the World Series. San Bernardino, California was the only Little League program in California in 1950. In 1951, the California Little League program had expanded to 39 leagues.

Before the first game, the ceremonial first pitch was thrown out by the legendary Cy Young. He was having fun. He stood at home plate and overthrew Billy Pustari on the mound to the crowd behind him. It was deliberate. Cy Young at the time was 84 years old. He had the career major league record of 511 wins and 313 defeats. He had 751 complete games.

The Little League pitching rule was that a pitcher needed 60 hours of rest if he pitched over four innings in a game. If his total was under four innings, he could pitch in the next game.

The main speaker at the banquet at the conclusion of the World Series was legendary Notre Dame football coach Frank Leahy. One of the coaches of the Stamford team was Mickey Lione. He had played quarterback for Leahy at Georgetown in 1931.

The championship game was broadcast over Radio Station WSTC. The announcer was Stamford Advocate sports columnist J. Walter Kennedy.

POTTER MCKEAN, PA v. STAMFORD, CT
LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES - TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 1951

Stamford jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. The first two batters, Mickey Lione and Tori Fauci, both walked. Andy Wasil hit back to the mound and was thrown out at first. Lione and Fauci each advanced one base. Billy Pustari singled to center to drive in two runs.

In the second, Ed Mazurek walked. Mickey Lione walked. Tori Fauci was hit by a pitch. Potter McKean changed pitchers. Out went Campbell replaced by Fred Howell. The Pennsylvania fans went wild when Howell struck out Andy Wasil. Billy Pustari drew a walk on a 3-2 pitch to force on Mazurek.

In the third, Potter McKean loaded the bases off of Pustari. Deppe reached on Pustari's error. Gamble walked. A walk loaded the sacks with one out. Stamford changed pitchers. Andy Wasil relieved Pustari. He got Howell to ground to second to Allen Yeager. He flipped to Lione at seconf for an out. Lione's throw to first was wild. Both Deppe and Gamble scored. Campbell grounded out to Mazurek at first to end the inning.

Stamford scored a run in the last of the third. A double by Dom Lacerenza set up the final run of the game. Pinch hitter Frank Robbotti was hit by a pitch. Mazurek hit into a double play with Lacerenza moving to third. Allen Yeager hit a shot past third, which was scored an error, and Dom Lacerenza scored.

In the top of the sixth, Fred Howell lead off with a single. It was the only hit off of Wasil. He was thrown out attempting to steal second. Wasil then struck out Campbell and Shields to end the game.

Wasil in three and two third innings gave up one hit,walked one and fanned eight. Pustari gave up no hits,walked two and had five strikeouts.

For Potter McKean, starter Campbell gave up four walks with one strikeout and two hits. Howell in relief had six strikeouts, walked one and gave up two hits.

Billy Pustari led Stamford with two hits and three RBIs.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H	E
Potter McKean, PA	0	0	2	0	0	0	2	1	1
Stamford	2	1	1	0	0	x	4	4	3

Campbell, Howell 2, and Marso
Pustari, Wasil 3, and Ferrara

In the other first day action, Fairmont, West Virginia nipped Pensacola, Florida 5-4. The winners had four home runs. Walt Kolvek had two round trippers.

In the second days action, Texas defeated Portland, Maine 9-0 and California defeated Illinois 5-1.

The semi finals were set for Thursday, August 23 with Stamford meeting Fairmont, West Virginia and San Bernardino meeting North Austin, Texas. In the San Bernardino win, their pitcher, known as the Great Gonzalez recorded 17 strikeouts.

FAIRMONT, WV v. STAMFORD, CT
LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES - THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 1951

Stamford scored a run in the bottom of the first inning. The first two batters, Mickey Lione and Tori Fauci were strikeout victims. Andy Wasil drew a walk. He moved to second on a passed ball. Billy Pustari doubled to score Wasil. The score would remain 1-0 until the Stamford fourth inning.

In the fourth, Allen Yeager reached on an error. Mickey Lione and Tori Fauci each walked to load the bases. Andy Wasil then doubled down the left field line to score Yeager and Lione. Bill Pustari grounded to short and was thrown out at first base. On the play Fauci scored and Wasil moved to third. Wasil scored on a passed ball. After four innings, Stamford held a 5-0 lead.

Stamford exploded for six runs in the fifth to take a lead of 11-0. Dom Lacerenza singled. Angie Arlenta batting for Frank Robotti walked. Allen Yeager reached on an error to load the sacks. Mazurek struck out. Lione, Fauci and Wasil all walked Stamford led 8-0. Billy Pustari struck out. Bob Ferrara walked to force in Lione. It was now 9-0. Stamford ended the scoring when Dom Lacerenza doubled in Fauci and Wasil. For Lacerenza it was his second hit of the inning.

In the top of the sixth, Fairmont's Zeck doubled for his team's only hit of the game. Wasil finished the game by striking out the next three batters.

Bill Pustari pitched the first two and two third innings. He had five strikeouts and walked four. In three and one third innings, Wasil walked one, gave up one hit and fanned nine.

Bill Pustari had two doubles for Stamford. Pustari in his two World Series games was four for six at the plate. Andy Wasil and Dom Lacerenza each had solid doubles.

Andy Wasil in his two appearances in the World Series had a total of 17 strikeouts.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H	E
Fairmont WV	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	2
Stamford	1	0	0	4	6	x	11	6	1

Zeck, Kolvek 4, and Securro
Pustari, Wasil 3, and Ferrara

In the other semifinal game, North Austin, Texas defeated San Bernardino, California 9-0. Freddy Martin pitched the Texans to their win. North Austin scored five runs in the first inning.

North Austin planned to use their ace lefthander Les Kitchen in the championship game. In the opening game, Kitchen struck out ten of the eleven batters he faced.

Stamford would have their dominating pitcher, Andy Wasil ready to take the mound.

NORTH AUSTIN, TX v. STAMFORD, CT
LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES - SATURDAY, AUGUST 25, 1951

Both teams were ready for the championship game with their number one pitcher ready to take the mound. For Stamford it was Andy Wasil and for North Austin it was southpaw Les Kitchen.

Stamford looked like they would be the first team to score in the last of the second inning. The leadoff batter, Biily Pustari singled. Bob Ferrara then doubled with Pustari moving to third. Les Kitchen bore down. He fanned Dom Lacerenza, Frank Robotti, and Ed Ciskowski.

In the last of the fourth, Stamford finally scored a run. Bill Pustari led off with a walk. Two passed balls later he was on third. Bob Ferrara hit a single off the outfield fence and Pustari scored. Ferrara's ball was hit so far and hard it rebounded all the way to second base. Kitchen again fanned the next three batters.

In the fifth, Kitchen retired the duo of Yaeger and Lione. However, Tori Fauci worked a walk. Andy Wasil then hit a line drive over the fence for a two run homer. Stamford had a 3-0 lead. The entire Stamford team was waiting at home plate for Wasil.

Wasil took the mound for the sixth. He ended the game with a flair. He struck out the side. Game over. Stamford wins 3-0. The Stamford Little League All Stars are the 1951 Little League World Champions. Wasil also struck out the side in the fifth.

In the championship game, Wasil struck out 16 Texas batters. He pitched a three hitter and walked five. In the three games at the World Series, Wasil had 33 strikeouts.

Les Kitchen in his five innings of work walked two and struck out 11. He gave up five hits,two to Pustari, two to Bobby Ferrara, and the homer to Wasil.

At the conclusion of the game, Stamford was awarded the championship trophy.

North Austin had two early chances to score, but Wasil met the challenge. In the first, with the bases loaded and two out, Wasil struck out Bill Cartwright. In the third with the bases loaded and two out, Cartwright grounded to third. Cartwright was considered as North Austin's best hitter.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H	E
North Austin TX	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	1
Stamford	0	0	0	1	2	x	3	5	0

Kitchen and Hammer
Wasil and Ferrara

1951 STAMFORD LITTLE LEAGUE ALL STARS - WORLD CHAMPIONS.
Coaches: Mickey Lione and Paul Klinkowski
Andy Wasil, Mickey Lione, Tori Fauci, Bill Pustari, Dick DiMauro, Ed Ciskowski, Allan Yeager, Roden Daniels, Ed Mazurek, Angie Aulenti, Bob Ferrara, Frank Robotti, Dom Lacerenza

1951 Little League World Series Bracket

---

Back to the League History Page