The best 11-year old AAU baseball team in New England happens to be right here on the North Shore.

Legends, coached by Dave Costantino, won four games in Rhode Island last month to capture the 11U Super Division New England championship and qualify for the AAU World Series, where the best eight teams in the country will compete in Memphis, Tenn.

"It was an unbelievable weekend," said Costantino, who runs the Legends program along with his brother Mike at Strike One in Danvers. "Somehow, we were able to get the games in despite all the rain, with the finals finishing around 10 p.m.

"It was a tremendous performance by all my guys. There are 50 teams in New England at this age level — and we're No. 1."

Legends beat the Boston Rams, 13-6, in the opening game before dropping a close one to Nokona, 6-5. That mean they'd have to win three games on Sunday to take the title.

The began that quest by batting Nokona again, this time prevailing 8-7 in eight innings. Legends then beat the Worcester Heat, 7-1, to get to the finals against the Rhode Island Rays.

In that title contest, Peabody's Ryan Collins pitched 41âÑ3 strong innings to get the win and Rockport's Nolan Webb came on to close the door, striking out the last batter to give his team a 3-2 victory.

"That Rhode Island team was very good; we were fortunate to come out on top," said Dave Costantino, who was a standout at Salem High and later Endicott College. "I knew coming into the season this was going to be a very strong team, and these kids haven't disappointed."

The team has compiled an impressive 30-5 record. Unfortunately, they won't be able to go to the World Series because of a prior commitment to the Cal Ripken Tournament at Myrtle Beach, S.C. at the end of this month.

"I'd love to go to both, but it's just too hard for the parents to get vacation time and (the two tournaments) are so close time-wise it just wouldn't have worked out," said Costantino.

"Last year our 11's placed third at Ripken, and our goal is to get to the championship game this time."

Webb is the ace of the Legends pitching staff with a 6-0 record, while Collins is also tough on the mound and at third base. Collins is the nephew of former Red Sox catching prospect Steve Lomasney, who worked with the boys over the winter and is now a full-time instructor on the Legends staff.

SDLqRyan has the quickest hands swinging a bat I've ever seen for an 11-year-old kid. He is really something special," said Mike Costantino, who will open a new place called Legends Baseball Training Facility in Middleton on Route 114 in the fall. (The Costantinos have a good relationship with Strike One owner Eric Wedge, but the program has grown too big for its present location.)

Collins had four homers at New Englands, picked up the win in the championship game, and made several fine defensive plays. And in the opinion of his coach, would have been named MVP if one had been picked. In all, he has 30 hits including seven home runs, 35 RBI, and 32 stolen bases (only caught once).

Andrew Olszak of Danvers is a shortstop and clutch hitter while Michael Cravatis, also of Danvers, is a steady center fielder. Beverly's Nick Cotraro is a versatile catcher/outfielder. Dan Ryan, a 10-year old catcher/first baseman from Rockport, is playing up a level along with pitcher/second baseman Kyle Casey of Topsfield.

Other local players include right fielder Shea Nugent of Nahant, and catcher/third baseman Jacob Yish of Byfield. Rounding out the squad are Abraham Ghim of Wellesley, Levi Burrill of Newton, NH, and Michael Eberle and Andrew Attar of North Hampton, NH.

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It was also a big weekend for Legends 12U team, coached by Eric Costantino, losing in the Super Division finals at the New England Tournament. Last year the Legend 12's took 5th at the Cal Ripken Tourney.

Several local players are on the roster including shortstop/center fielder A. J. DiFillipo and catcher/second baseman Traverse Brianna of Peabody. The ace pitcher is Joe Klingensmith of Topsfield while Nick Latham of Salem is also a pitcher/third baseman, and Zach Steer of Ipswich pitches and plays first. Swampscott's Greg Collier (shortstop/left field) and Dave Reichert (left field), and Mike Manni of Middleton (catcher/shortstop) are the other locals.

"We've got some very strong teams, and it should be a very interesting summer of baseball," said Dave Costantino.