The young boys of the 2024 Hillsborough Baseball League 8U Raiders travel team stood proudly with their large trophy as they received a proclamation from Mayor Robert Britting, who happens to be their third base coach.
“They had a very successful season and won the 2024 District 10 championship against Bridgewater,” Britting said with a smile.
The mayor along with the Hillsborough Township Committee recognized the team at a meeting in June.
The Raiders made 79 runs in six games. Their current record is 15 wins and 7 losses, Britting said.
“More importantly they scored 14 runs in the district,” he said.
Head Coach Matt Campbell said he could not be more proud of the team.
“They are together a lot, they are best friends on and off the field,” he said. “We do a lot as coaches to try to teach them life skills outside of the field, which matters more.
“A lot of what they learn on the field is just building them up to be great young boys, who will turn into great young men and great ambassadors of our town.”
Campbell noted the Bridgewater coach dropped off the trophy at his house the day of the proclamation presentation.
“These kids really present themselves well on the field and are respected by their peers and other coaches,” he said.
Jon Shimp, president of the Hillsborough Baseball League, said the coaches work well together and added the team fights hard every game no matter what the score is.
“Be it proclaimed, that we, the mayor and the Hillsborough Township Committee, do hereby commend the 2024 Hillsborough Baseball League 8U Travel Team, coaches and parents, ‘especially the parents’ not only for their successful season, but for their hard work; dedication; commitment to the sport; and to those principles of good sportsmanship; teamwork and academic achievement, which the organization endorses,” the proclamation states.