The New City team made it all the way to this year's Little League Softball World Series where they placed fifth and set a Rockland record.

In addition to the state title, the New City 11-12-year-olds, managed by Mike Herskowitz and Andy Kaye and coached by James Guevarra, Mike del Rosario, and Glenn Powers, collected the U.S. East Region champion title and went on to place fifth in the Little League Softball World Series in Oregon in mid-August-the highest any Rockland team of this age group has ever placed. The girls beat out Italy, Portland, and Puerto Rico to secure their spot.

It was clear from the start that this all-star team was one to be reckoned with: Their first game in district play was an 18-inning win (17 of those innings were scoreless) versus Nanuet, the defending state champions. Lon Hofstein, president of New City Little League, says this hard-fought four-hour game was the beginning of the team's dream tour.

"New City Little League is at a loss for words to say how proud we are of these girls," Hofstein says. "They play with all their heart. It's such a pleasure to watch them and work with them, as well as their parents."

The team was sent off to the World Series with a community-wide pep rally and were equally embraced when they returned: On August 25, the girls were introduced at a Rockland Boulders game, and on September 3 they stood side-by-side on the field with the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. The Town of Clarkstown is also planning an awards ceremony for the players, and they'll attend New City Little League's champions' dinner in November. "They're like rock stars," Hofstein says with a laugh. "This is something they'll look back on for years to come."