by Bill Burt, Eagle Tribune
The book was almost complete.
A “Legion” baseball team, without a real American Legion sponsor, struggling to raise money, putting a city on its shoulders, a few innings from the World Series berth, eventually learning more about their sport and the true meaning of family along the way.
Lawrence was five outs away, leading 1-0, from an all-expenses paid trip to Shelby, N.C. Maybe even a parade.
But the possible New York Times best-seller — really just the last chapter — got waylaid at Fitton Field, on the campus of Holy Cross.
A 6-foot-8 pitcher (John West) committed to Boston College, who throws it 90 miles-per-hour, and a veteran Legion team from Shrewsbury that played in this Northeast Regional three straight years entering yesterday’s finale, outlasted Lawrence’s incredible story.
There were, of course, tears. Enough tears on the Lawrence side to fill up the Merrimack River.
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