Every young baseball player’s dream came true for the 12U Fairfield National Little League team. Their incredible journey carried them all the way to the Little League World Series in the storied town of Williamsport, PA. From our local fields to the world stage, these elite young athletes—with their supportive families by their side and guidance from their dedicated coaches—Manager Brian Palazzolo and Coaches Tom Curley and Dave Gryga—these elite athletes experienced a summer they will never forget. There is nothing quite like baseball to bring a town together. Friends and neighbors rallied around this team, celebrating at the stadium and cheering at local watch parties across town, as these boys became true hometown heroes. Gritty, courageous, determined, hardworking, and unflappable—relentless, special, legendary—these are some of the words the coaches use to describe this talented group Their commitment, perseverance and love of the game—and of each other—are what baseball is all about.
FLM: When did you first realize this team had something special?
Dave Gryga: Over the years they’ve grown from kids learning fundamentals to young men who play the game the right way — disciplined, resilient, and with a lot of joy. And despite their on-field successes, they remain humble and practice hard to keep getting better. I think I realized they had something special not in one single game, but in the way they carried themselves as a group. They hated losing even a drill in practice, they pushed each other to be better, and they always showed up for one another. By the time they won Districts and then State at 10U, it was clear this wasn’t just talent — it was different how they played the game as a team, smart and aggressive, with a knack to make those little plays that win big games.
Tom Curley: Right from the beginning I always thought the team had something special about them. Their ability, their confidence, their willingness to learn and work. It’s been a great experience to watch them grow individually and together. Both on the baseball field and as people. They’re truly a great group of kids to be around.
FLM: What do you think has kept this group so connected and committed since they were little?
DG: What’s kept this group so connected is simple: families, friends, and fun. Their friendships run deeper than baseball — they’ve grown up together, and that bond shows every time they take the field. And at the heart of it, they’ve always kept the game fun. Even with all the wins and big moments, they never lost the joy of just playing together…and pushing each other.
TC: It’s their love of playing the game, their competitiveness and their willingness to sacrifice for the team. These boys have a quiet confidence and a competitive drive to work together to achieve their shared goals. Their openness to coaching, combined with the experience of seeing the results of their hard work, created a snowball effect—allowing them to build and sustain momentum over the years that led to this moment.
Q: What a dream come true. How did the boys handle the pressure and excitement of playing on such a big stage?
Brian Palazzo: It’s a really weird thing.The boys never seem to feel pressure. Even when we were down in games. We just try to stay focused and calm, not overdoing it. We let the pitchers come to us, avoid swinging out of the zone and trust that we’ll make the plays on defense.
DG: It really was a dream come true, and the boys handled it better than anyone could ask. What we talked about was separating the experience from the event. Off the field, I told them to be kids — enjoy every moment, soak it all in, and make memories they’ll carry forever. But once we were in the event — whether it was practice or a game — the focus had to shift. Lock in. Play the game our way, the way we’ve always done. If they gave their best for each other, not for anyone else, I knew they’d be at their best.
FLM: What stands out to you most about the team’s journey to the Little League World Series?
BP: The drive and determination of these boys is remarkable. Having won the state of Connecticut the past two years, they were on a mission to achieve an undefeated three-peat. It takes incredible effort and commitment to make that happen and they were all in to make it possible.
DG: What really stands out to me is how this team plays the game. The lightning-fast decisions. The aggressiveness on the bases. The way they anticipate, think ahead, and play smart baseball. They keep pressure on opponents every single pitch, and they do it while making the game look effortless at times. But it isn’t easy. What they’ve accomplished — three years without losing a game in Connecticut, barely trailing in all that time — is unheard of. The odds of that happening are crazy. And yet, when the competition got tougher at Regionals and the World Series, their approach never wavered. They just kept making play after play until they broke through in the right spot.
FLM: Can you share a little about what makes Fairfield National so special and unique?
DG: Like all Little Leagues, we’re a volunteer-run organization, built on people giving their time and energy for the kids and for the game. What makes Fairfield National unique is the depth of that commitment, so many families give more than anyone would ever expect and it creates a real sense of community around the league. This year, with a new board and more parents stepping in, that community has only grown stronger. And our team has really felt that backing every step through this amazing summer.
TC: Fairfield National has been in the community for as long as I can remember. I played in FNLL as a kid! We are one half of one town and yet we are a powerful force. There is a certain identity that exists representing one half of a great baseball town. Everyone in the community has always been really supportive of the league from the sponsors to the volunteers to the parents, players and former players. Anybody who has been associated with the league in any capacity has a special memory of their experience.
FLM: What did you see from them—on or off the field—that made you most proud? What has been the most rewarding part of coaching these kids?
BP: The way this group plays together. We play so hard but we’re able to stay humble. We never try to show anyone up. It’s a respect for the game that you don’t usually see out of 12 year olds. I think that is also the most rewarding part. We are able to teach the game to play as fast as you can while always respecting our opponents.
DG: What made me most proud wasn’t just how they played, but how they carried themselves. On the field, they played smart, aggressive baseball, and every boy had his moment. But off the field, they were just as impressive. They were generous with their time and always stopping to connect with people. The community support was incredible — the watch parties, the messages, the videos — but what I’ve come to realize is it wasn’t only about people supporting the boys. These kids gave something back. The way they showed up, the way they played, it truly inspired people. Strangers from states away were glued to our games, finding favorite players, finding joy in this team. Some even told us it gave them hope when they needed it most. That’s the most rewarding part of coaching this group. Wins and championships fade, but the impact they had on people, the joy they sparked — that’s forever. That’s legendary.