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Jun 19, 2023

Everything to know about Canton Little League's trip to regionals

It’s not exactly a summer vacation. It's been more of a dream for the Canton Little Leaguers. After winning the sectional title, Canton took home the state title and now the magic number to get to

It’s not exactly a summer vacation. It's been more of a dream for the Canton Little Leaguers.

After winning the sectional title, Canton took home the state title and now the magic number to get to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, for the Little League World Series is three.

Starting on Saturday in Bristol, Connecticut, Canton will compete in the New England Regionals against Vermont (St. Johnsbury), Maine (Gray New Gloucester) and New Hampshire (Salem). Only one team will advance to Williamsport.

Find out everything you need to know about Canton as the team tries to continue its magical summer. The Patriot Ledger will have live blogs with updates for all of Canton's regional tournament games.

The regionals are being held in Bristol, Connecticut, at the A. Bartlett Giamatti Little League Leadership Training Center. That's 335 Mix St. in your GPS.

The tournament starts Saturday (Canton kicks off the action against Vermont at 10 a.m.). The following rounds will be held Sunday, Monday and Wednesday, with the New England championship scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 10, at 7 p.m. Canton is guaranteed to play two games.

The Patriot Ledger will have blogs with live updates from every Canton game. The games will also be broadcast on ESPN and ESPN+ (a streaming subscription service). Saturday's two opening-round games (New Hampshire and Maine will play at 1 p.m.) will be on ESPN+ and so will the first elimination bracket game Sunday (4 p.m.). The other three tournament games will be on ESPN.

More:Meet the Canton Little League team that has Williamsport dreams

Opening ceremonies will be held Friday at 7 p.m. at Breen Field.

Tickets to all games and the opening ceremonies at the regionals are free. They are first-come, first-served. Fans are welcome to bring folding chairs to watch the game from behind the outfield fence, but there are also bleachers. There's a concession stand too.

More:These are 14 must-see high school football games on the South Shore this fall

There will be parking lots down Mix Street on both sides of the field. There will be an Edgewood Parking Lot and Mix Street Parking Lot. There are also side streets that allow parking.

On Sunday, Canton beat Barnstable 6-2, a win that earned the town its first state championship. The team has gone 14-0 in the playoffs, including a nine-run comeback win against Parkway to win the sectionals.

“To be honest with you, I was an emotional basket case all weekend,” said Canton head coach Ryan Archibald. "I was fine until the weekend and then it got so big that I was very emotional. I think part of it was such the amazing performances by the kids and the games on Thursday and Friday. I just really wanted it for them.”

This is the furthest the town has ever been. However, in 2003, Canton made it to sectionals before falling to Middleboro. Greg Zollo was the head coach at the time. It’s all a surreal feeling for him.

“It hasn’t sunk in yet,” said Zollo. “I think once we get down to Connecticut and start playing in another state, I think that’s where I’ll think, ‘Wow, that’s pretty cool what they accomplished.”