Tiverton Baseball’s 10 and under All Star team are state champions for the second time in the Cal Ripken-affiliated league’s two-year existence, following a bizarre turn of events in the state championship tournament at Pierce Park in Central Falls — their opponent, one game away from winning the title, was required to forfeit on the morning of the game after a player was deemed ineligible to play.

“It was weird, but the kids had been beating these teams handily and they deserve it,” league co-founder and team manager Jason Methia said.

Tiverton was a juggernaut in the state tourney, crushing host Central Falls 15-0 in three innings during the first round held Saturday, June 29.

Tiverton backed off on the throttle slightly in game two, dispatching Elmhurst 11-1 in five innings on Monday, July 1, before smashing Washington Park 14-2 in game three.

Moving on to the double elimination championship round, again against Washington Park, Tiverton suffered its first loss of the tournament 13-0 on Sunday, July 7, setting up a do or die contest against the team that had been scheduled for Monday, July 8.

But on the morning of the game, Methia got a call from the Cal Ripken state president, who told him that a Washington Park player who had been in the lineup during Tiverton’s loss Sunday was ineligible and should not have played, and that Washington Park was required to forfeit the tournament as a result.

With that forfeit, Tiverton became state champions without winning the championship game. Though the kids weren’t able to have an on-field celebration had they won it all, Tiverton Baseball made it up to them with a big surprise Monday.

The second championship game had been scheduled for the afternoon, but coaches spread the word that it had instead been pushed back to 8:30 p.m., and that the kids should come to the Tiverton Town Farm, in uniform, for a pre-game practice. When they got there, Methia gave them and the dozens of team supporters, parents and staff the word:

“You’re state champions!”

Methia said he never expected that the league would do so well after just two seasons of play. Tiverton Baseball was formed as an alternative to the traditional Little League Baseball league that has operated in Tiverton for years, and Methia said he’s been happy to see the community rally around the league.

“We’ve been able to have a real community effort with this thing,” he said, adding that the league’s success has been due not just to the high quality of the players who signed on, but also the community's support.

“The team is an example of what we’re trying to do, big picture, with baseball in Tiverton. We’re trying to do something positive instead of just saying the status quo is what we needed to continue to do. We saw something that we thought needed to be improved, and improved it.”

State tournament results

Game 1

Saturday, June 29

Tiverton 15, Central Falls 0

The game was called via the mercy rule in three innings. Pitchers Calvin Medeiros and Chace Silva combined for a no hitter, with Medeiros striking out six while walking none, and Silva striking out a pair with one walk. Medeiros won Player of the Game.

Game 2

Monday, July 1

Tiverton 11, Elmhurst 1

The game was called in the fifth inning via the mercy rule. Medeiros was strong again, striking out seven with one walk in three innings. Weston Metthia, who pitched two innings with three strikeouts and two walks, also had two hits and was named Player of the Game. Tiverton scored six runs in the fifth.

Game 3

Wednesday, July 3

Tiverton 14, Washington Park 2

Medeiros was again Player of the Game, going 3-4 at the plate with five RBIs. On the mound, he struck out five and walked two in two innings of work.

Game 4

Sunday, July 7

Washington Park 13, Tiverton 0 (mercy rule)

Gavin Grimm was Player of the Game. He contributed a hit and was noted for his defensive play in the game.

Game 5*

Washington Park forfeited after the league learned that the team had an ineligible player on the field in game four.