BUTLER TWP — The most successful Little League season in Butler Township history came to an official end Wednesday night.

Players, coaches and assistants of the community's 10, 11 and 12-year-old all-star tournament teams — each squad a 2006 District 25 champion — were formally recognized and presented a commemorative T-shirt by the Butler Township Commissioners during a gathering at Butler Township Park.

Each also received an autographed color picture of Boston Red Sox pitcher Matt Clement, himself a product of the Butler Township baseball system.

Along with three district titles, Butler Township's 12-year-old squad became the first Little League team from Butler County to participate in the Little League World Series, being eliminated during regional play in Connecticut.

Butler Township Manager Jerry Patterson said Wednesday night's gathering — which included providing pizza, drinks and cake for the kids — was a combined effort of the Butler Township Commissioners and himself.

"We all followed their achievements during the tournaments and felt we should recognize what they did,"Patterson said. "These kids deserve this."

"One community winning all three district titles like this is incredible," BT11-year-old coach Jason Stobert said. "That hasn't happened around here. It may not have ever happened anywhere."

The 11-year-old championship may be the most surprising of the three. As 10-year-olds last year, that group lost out to East Butler.

"Hitting had been a problem for us, then, this year, we just got hot,"Stobert said. "Jordan Winters hit two homers for us in the district tournament and Trevor Emerick hit two homers in our first game at Oil City, including a walk-off homer to end the game."

Daryl Patten coached the 10-year-old team to its district crown and said an eligibility change in Little League Baseball helped this year's squad.

Before the 2006 season, the age of the player on Aug. 1 of that season marked the age division he was eligible for. This year, the age of the player on April 1 determined his eligibility.

"A couple of key players became eligible for us,"Patten said. "Cory Wheeler was our anchor at shortstop and Adam Schaffner was our ace pitcher and could play any infield position.

"Our pitching staff went seven or eight kids deep. That means everything in tournament baseball. Good pitching will stop good hitting any day."

It took good pitching to eventually sideline the 12-year-old squad, as it faced three consecutive staff aces — from Maryland, New Jersey and Delaware — in LLWSregional play.

Maryland pitcher Brandon Nelson threw 80 miles per hour.

"He was the best pitcher I saw," 12-year-old All-Star coach John Baranchak said. "And the kid from New Jersey had thrown 46 straight scoreless innings before we took a 2-0 lead on him."

Dalton Koebler was 7-1 on the mound in tournament play for the Butler Township 12-year-old team.

"Versatility was the key for us,"Baranchak said. "Our kids could play anywhere. I could have pulled our batting order and positions out of a hat and it would have worked."

Clement was on hand to speak to the kids and congratulated them on their success.

"You've made the whole community proud of you, along with my wife (Heather) and myself,"Clement said.

"Hard work in baseball isn't nearly as important as hard work in school. If you can't get by in school, you won't be playing anymore."

Clement played on successful Butler High School baseball teams in the mid-1990's and is encouraged by Butler Township's success at the Little League level.

He noted the improvement of the high school team as well.

"The future of baseball around here looks bright," he said. "These kids gave the community something to cheer about.

"At their age, there is no pressure. They're so naive ... They're still playing a game and that's what's so great about it. They're just wondering where they're getting their hot dog, drink or ice cream after the game."

"For a bunch of 12-year-olds to do what those kids did, though, is unbelievable,"Clement added.

<B>12-year-olds• Coach: </B>John Baranchak<B>• Assistants:</B> Jim Murray, Bruce Ziegler<B>• Players: </B>P-1B-Matthew Baranchak, C-Thomas Bruce, C-2B-Kevin Clapper, OF-Michael Connelly, OF-3B-Dante Dorcy, 1B-OF-Chris Cotton, P-3B-Dalton Koebler, OF-P-Alex Ziegler, OF-3B-David Tompkins, SS-P-Cody West, OF-Colin McKee, 2B-Spencer Murray<B>11-year-olds• Coach: </B>Jason Stobert<B>• Assistant: </B>Mike Emery<B>• Players: </B>P-2B-Shae Stobert, P-SS-Canan Roskovski, P-RF-Jacob Ferguson, CF-Cory Hilliard, SS-Josh Friel, C-RF-Stephen Shoemaker, LF-Jordan Winters, 3B-2B-Alex Russo, C-Justin Keene, 1B-Trevor Emerick, 3B-Levi Bartolicius, C-Ian Berbigler, 1B-Zane Homa<B>10-year-olds• Coach: D</B>aryl Patten<B>• Assistants: </B>Curt Gross, Mike Denny<B>• Players: </B>2B-P-Ryan Denny, SS-P-Cory Wheeler, P-SS-Adam Schaffner, 1B-P-Jacob Lenhart, CF-T.J. Rice, 3B-Mark Gross, LF-Clint Regal, RF-Michael Mikula, C-Nick Patten, LF-Chris Gamble, OF-Luke Baranchak, CF-Jesse Savisky