As scene-setting backdrops go, the constant cold, mist and rain of the last week or so doesn't exactly scream "Little League World Series."
With Friday's District 15 Williamsport Little League all-star tournament opener looming, Mother Nature hasn't given local youngsters much of a chance to strut their stuff on rain-soaked local diamonds.
Luckily, that hasn't been much of an issue for the entries from Beverly, who have had plenty of indoor practice time at facilities like Extra Innings in Middleton and Strike One in Danvers.
In fact, the chance to work out indoors has actually enhanced the "big time" feeling of the experience.
"We get in there and we get three tunnels going at once, and in some ways the kids are kind of in awe of that," said Beverly East all-star manager Lew Leathersich. "It's just another part of the overall experience."
The boys from Beverly East have had several treats already, including batting practice sessions thrown by Beverly High stars like Joe Wioncek, Ethan Trowt, Austin Butler and Chris Mitchell. Beverly native and St. John's Prep player Dillon Gonzales has also been around; they're all products of Beverly Little League giving back to this latest generation of all-stars.
"Their help has been a wonderful thing — and it really shows the familylike atmosphere we have," said Leathersich. "It's a thrill for the kids because Beverly High had such a big year; for them to be down there in the rain throwing it around with the kids is great to see."
Beverly West is actually the first of the two Garden City entrants to get underway in this year's Williamsport tournament, battling Gloucester American Friday night at Tapley Park in Danvers. The West squad returns Sean Curtin, who played last year as an 11-year-old, and also features 11-year-old standout Dan Cronin.
The rest of the squad is 12-year-old players on the Williamsport stage for the first time. They have plenty of experience from strong Jimmy Fund tourney runs the last two summers.
"Anybody you talk to will say that in this tournament you need good defense, good pitching and timely hitting — and that will be us," said West manager Gary Munzing. "We don't have a lot of power hitting or overpowering pitching. So we'll stress some small ball, not giving away outs and being aggressive."
The West also has an abundance of arms, including possible pitchers Michael Rotondo, Sean Munzing, Curtin and David Drinkwater.
Meanwhile, Beverly East will find out where it stands in District 15 right out of the gates. The team opens with Danvers National Saturday at Cheeseman Park in Wenham. Should they win their oopener, they'd then face three-time defending champion Peabody West (if they also win their opening game) in the second round — a re-match of last year's District 15 final.
"I think this is one of the toughest districts in the state. Both Danvers teams are strong, the Peabody teams are always strong and Amesbury should be very good this year," said Leathersich. "We have a tough draw."
The Beasts of the East, as Munzing jokingly called his team's crosstown doppelganger, feature an all 12-year-old cast that has been together for several years on the lower levels of Little League tourneys. Mike Campatelli is the lone Williamsport returnee.
"We definitely have depth. We have four or five kids, including Tim Wilbur, Rich Gilbride, Teddy Leathersich, Tim Leblanc and Ian Butler, that have been pitching since they were eight or nine years old," Leathersich said.
Beyond dreams of playing deep into July and making a run at a district, sectional or state title is the experience of representing the town — a first for many of these youngsters.
"I've told my kids that since the first practice: no matter how many teams are left and how long they play for, this team is something they'll always remember," said Munzing.
