It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Boston Post Road Historic District in Darien, CT gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Darien, CT is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“I want to take a moment to recognize Nadine, the case manager at Always Best”
“We were setup with Always Best Care through my work benefit to help with caring”
“I’ve booked back-up care for my two young children multiple times with ABC, and will”
“I booked Always Best Care through my Company's "Back Up Care" benefit. My Company's "Back”
“I booked Always Best Care through my Company's "Back Up Care" benefit. My Company's "Back”
“Alan is always there for us at all times with amazing care givers. He manages”
“Alan’s responsiveness in arranging home care far exceeded expectations. The home health aide”
“We had a lovely experience with Celenis! The company quickly swooped in to support us”
“In what was a tremendously difficult last few years caring for my mom with dementia,”
“This is a 5 star company. Their name is perfect. Always Best Care. The care”
“I highly recommend Always Best Care. We needed someone to help mom get back on”
“Amy Crowley at ABC Senior Services did a terrific job helping me find a suitable”
“Professional and reliable in-home caregivers”
“Professional and reliable in-home caregivers.”
“Please welcome the newest Connecticut office of Always Best Care to Norwalk and Lower Fairfield”
“Excellent!”
“I want to take a moment to recognize Nadine, the case manager at Always Best Care. From the very beginning, she has shown such kindness, patience, and genuine care. Nadine goes above and beyond to make sure every detail is handled, and she always makes me feel supported and heard. She has a way of bringing comfort in stressful times and truly treats you like family. Her compassion and dedication shine through in everything she does, and I’m so grateful for her. Always Best Care is lucky to have someone as special as Nadine on their team.”
“We were setup with Always Best Care through my work benefit to help with caring for my 85 year old father in the hospital. Alan and Nadine were extremely responsive and flexible in our needs and a fluid situation where we were dependent on hearing updates from doctors from another state. They both checked in on us and ensure my father's needs were met, flexible in changing times and made a stressful process easier for us to manage. I plan on using this agency again when/if we need to.”
“I’ve booked back-up care for my two young children multiple times with ABC, and will continue to reach out to them first any time I have care needs. Not only was my caregiver great, but the service and care I got from Alan was above and beyond. He is so responsive, invested and attentive - feel like I’m working with a friend/family. They really care about their care recipients and make you feel like a VIP. The caregiver we were assigned was not only sweet and warm, but she wouldn’t sit still and made sure she was always doing something helpful. Couldn’t be happier with the company or caregiver, and will work with them anytime the need arises.”
“I booked Always Best Care through my Company's "Back Up Care" benefit. My Company's "Back Up Care" can be a little tricky to use and sometimes difficult to get the care properly confirmed. I reached out to Alan the day before my booking and he did a tremendous job at making sure that I had appropriate care for my 5 month old and that I wouldn't have to stress. Our actual caregiver, Chyna was great. She arrived on time, was knowledgable, respectful, and friendly. We had no worries leaving our 5 month old in her care. I'd book with Always Best Care again.”
“I booked Always Best Care through my Company's "Back Up Care" benefit. My Company's "Back Up Care" can be a little tricky to use and sometimes difficult to get the care properly confirmed. I reached out to Alan the day before my booking and he did a tremendous job at making sure that I had appropriate care for my 5 month old and that I wouldn't have to stress. Our actual caregiver, Chyna was great. She arrived on time, was knowledgable, respectful, and friendly. We had no worries leaving our 5 month old in her care. I'd book with Always Best Care again.”
“Alan is always there for us at all times with amazing care givers. He manages changes and last minute needs as though our family member is his family. He is also there in person to make sure everything is going smoothly.”
“Alan’s responsiveness in arranging home care far exceeded expectations. The home health aide is amazing as well. Thank you ABC for providing exceptional service!!”
“We had a lovely experience with Celenis! The company quickly swooped in to support us with childcare and she went above and beyond caring for our son permitting us to focus at work!”
“In what was a tremendously difficult last few years caring for my mom with dementia, we burned through multiple agencies and aides. Only at the end did we find unmatched compassion and competence with Alan and his team of aides at Always Best Care. A lot of times the whole experience felt overwhelming, disjointed and end of life care system just plain broken. They were the one shining bright spot. Our family would recommend them in the highest order.”
“This is a 5 star company. Their name is perfect. Always Best Care. The care givers for my mom in her final months were gracious, considerate, compassionate and professional. I spoke with Alan many times telling him how thankful i was to have him and the outstanding service his company provided to my mother. My highest recommendation to Alan and his staff at Always Best Care.”
“I highly recommend Always Best Care. We needed someone to help mom get back on her feet again after hip surgery and to be her companion for three weeks during Covid quarantine as she moved from rehab center back to her senior living apartment. All services were provided with the highest level of kindness, compassion and dignity and we are truly grateful for the help.”
“Amy Crowley at ABC Senior Services did a terrific job helping me find a suitable assisted living place for my Mom. She presented an array of good choices, gave me some very good advice about things to look for when I checked them out, responded quickly and completely to every question I had, and did all of this in the hurry done urgent circumstances required. No hard sell, just good knowledgeable work.”
“Professional and reliable in-home caregivers”
“Professional and reliable in-home caregivers.”
“Please welcome the newest Connecticut office of Always Best Care to Norwalk and Lower Fairfield County. If you know a loved one in need of care, please visit our website or call us anytime for a free no-obligation expert consultation.”
“Excellent!”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Baker Park in Darien, CT with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Restaurant L'Ostal or visit Bates-Scofield House, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Darien, CT, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Darien, CT understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Darien, CT 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
According to business media Inc.’s recent annual report on scaling private companies, Darien-based ALOHA is the fastest-growing plant-based protein bar in the country and the fifth fastest-growing company in Connecticut. The company has seen 366% revenue growth from 2022 to 2025, and this is the third consecutive year ALOHA has made the list.When CEO Brad Charron took over ALOHA in late 2017, the company was bankrupt. “It had raised and lost nearly $70 million,” he said, and the “unfathomable amount of money an...
According to business media Inc.’s recent annual report on scaling private companies, Darien-based ALOHA is the fastest-growing plant-based protein bar in the country and the fifth fastest-growing company in Connecticut. The company has seen 366% revenue growth from 2022 to 2025, and this is the third consecutive year ALOHA has made the list.
When CEO Brad Charron took over ALOHA in late 2017, the company was bankrupt. “It had raised and lost nearly $70 million,” he said, and the “unfathomable amount of money and resources poorly expended,” was a lot to fix. After simplifying the business and while building a remote-first team of employee-owners, his top priority was recreating the product line up.
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Using his past experience working with snack and wellness brands like Nature’s Bounty, KIND Snacks, Chobani, and Frito-Lay, Charron said, “the biggest priority was getting the product right.” A protein bar with poor taste and texture simply doesn’t build customer loyalty: “You can have the best ingredients in the world, a great marketing campaign or a big influencer telling people to buy your product. But if someone takes a bite and doesn't love it, you're certainly not getting a second purchase.”
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“Once we had a product and a business that worked, we could start scaling it,” explained Charron. Direct-to-customer sales on the website constitute about 60% of ALOHA’s business, which Charron considers particularly valuable because, "that's where we own the relationship with the consumer first-hand.”
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In addition, ALOHA is sold in more than 22,000 stores. Charron’s approach to finding success in retail is placing the product where his target demographic — “a person who wants to eat ‘better’ without sacrificing enjoyment or taste” — already is. Rather than remaining in the pharmacy and supplement section at Walmart, for example, he’s excited to have ALOHA move into the grocery aisle. Similarly, “in Target, we’ve expanded our product offering as they double-down on the most compelling, modern and differentiated food brands in the market,” he said, “And, after nine years of operating, we're now starting in the club channel at Costco and Sam's Club where value meets discovery.” Charron claims that this intentional approach to establishing and adjusting placements has a higher return-on-investment than simply adding more retailers. As a result, ALOHA has achieved over $200 million in revenue.
As much as has changed since Charron took over the brand, there were aspects of the old ALOHA he said were important to the team to maintain and develop. One is the brand’s connection to Hawaii. “The website ALOHA.com was originally started in Hawaii in the early 2010s, so Hawaii is an important part of our history,” he said. Therefore, his goal is to build and invest in the company’s relationship with the islands. “We don’t own ‘aloha.’ We try to act as stewards of ‘aloha’ in everything we do.”
To achieve this, Charron said ALOHA partners with KUPU, a Honolulu-based youth empowerment nonprofit, and works with Mana Up, a business and entrepreneurship accelerator for Hawaiian-owned brands. He also has relationships with farmers on the islands, “(I) even sent my oldest daughter to work on one of our partner-farms.” As a food company, “We depend on farmers, land, water and communities to make our products,” explained Charron, who said his relationships with farm partners have “influenced how we think about the business, from the ingredients we source to the products we create and the organizations we support.” For example, ALOHA’s special edition bars, Kona and Pa'akai, feature ingredients from these farms, like Kona coffee from Greenwell Farms and macadamia nuts from H?m?kua Macadamia Nut Company. “These are farms and producers doing really important things around sustainability, agriculture and cultivating communities,” said Charron.
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Stasia Brewczynski is a New Haven–based writer specializing in food, drink, and travel. Her work appears in Food & Wine, Eater, and Full Pour Magazine, among other publications.
As they have done six times before during this summer, the Darien Little League baseball all-stars face another elimination game.Darien, the District 1, Section 1 and Connecticut state champions, face New York winner Port Washington at 5 p.m. at Breen Field in a Little League Baseball Metro Regional contest. Both teams are 1-1 in the regional entering the game. This the first time that the teams have played each other in this regional.AdvertisementArticle continues below this adDarien is coming off a 6-2 win over ...
As they have done six times before during this summer, the Darien Little League baseball all-stars face another elimination game.
Darien, the District 1, Section 1 and Connecticut state champions, face New York winner Port Washington at 5 p.m. at Breen Field in a Little League Baseball Metro Regional contest. Both teams are 1-1 in the regional entering the game. This the first time that the teams have played each other in this regional.
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Darien is coming off a 6-2 win over Rhode Island champion Lincoln on Sunday night. Port Washington, or more fully Port Washington Youth Activities, lost for the first time in the regional, 12-2, to New Jersey champion Bayonne Central on Monday afternoon. Port Washington defeated Lincoln, 10-3, in their Metro opener.
Darien has faced six elimination games this summer. They are 6-0 in those games.
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Here's what to know about the elimination game:
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Wednesday, 5 p.m.
Breen Field at the A. Bartlett Giamatti Little League Leadership Training Center, Bristol
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There is no admission fee for Little League regional games, nor tickets needed for entrance.
The game is on ESPN. Play-by-play by Eric Frede in on play-by-play, with analyst Gaby Sanchez.
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A spot in the Metro Regional championship game against New Jersey representative Bayonne Central on Friday at 7 p.m.
The New York state champions went undefeated in District 28 play, and continued that run all the way until the Section 4 West (Nassau County) championship round, where they lost, 4-1, to District 31 champion North Merrick/North Bellmore. That set up a winner-take-all game, which Port Washington won, 4-1.
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The New York state tournament has two pools of four sectional champions apiece. After playing each team in the pool once, the top two teams from each pool advance to the semifinal round. Port Washington lost once in pool play, but defeated Section 2 South champion Twin Town, 6-1, in the semifinal round before knocking off Section 3 South champion Mid-Island in the state championship game, 11-5.
BRISTOL — Darien found itself tied with Rhode Island state champion Lincoln going into the bottom of the fourth inning of their Little League Baseball Metro Region elimination game Sunday night at Breen Field.Darien scored five runs in that fourth inning and went on to beat Lincoln, 6-2, to stay alive. Darien will play the loser of Monday’s game between Bayonne, N.J., and Port Washington, N.Y., on Wednesday at 5 p.m.“The kids, I think, want to have a little bit of fun here, so we’ll try to enjoy the next...
BRISTOL — Darien found itself tied with Rhode Island state champion Lincoln going into the bottom of the fourth inning of their Little League Baseball Metro Region elimination game Sunday night at Breen Field.
Darien scored five runs in that fourth inning and went on to beat Lincoln, 6-2, to stay alive. Darien will play the loser of Monday’s game between Bayonne, N.J., and Port Washington, N.Y., on Wednesday at 5 p.m.
“The kids, I think, want to have a little bit of fun here, so we’ll try to enjoy the next two days, practice hard, and we’ll see what goes,” Darien manager Joe Paccione said. “We’ll come watch New York and New Jersey, and we’ll see who we’re playing, but they’re both excellent teams. We’ve got our work cut out for us, but we’ll prepare and be ready to go.”
It’s not the first time Darien has staved off elimination. They did it multiple times in both the District 1 and Connecticut Section 1 tournaments.
“We’ve been facing it a lot, so we’re used to it,” Darien catcher Hugh Butler said. “We’re used to the pressure, and we’re ready.”
“We’ve been through losses, and it’s not a great feeling,” said Rex Paquette, who got the win in relief of starter Charlie MacLane, “but we as a team know that if we lose, there’s always a chance that we can come back and win against the same team or a different team to get into the spot that we’re in right now or a different spot.”
Darien scored a run in the bottom of the first inning when Jack Houlihan drew a walk with the bases loaded. It took Lincoln until the fourth inning to tie the game. Lincoln starting pitcher Milo Sheridan drew a walk to lead off the fourth. He was caught in a rundown between first and second base when he tried to steal and put on the brakes, but an errant throw allowed him to get all the way to third. Sheridan scored on a wild pitch to tie the game, 1-1.
In the bottom of the fourth, Butler got the run back, and nearly did it all by himself. Butler drew a four-pitch walk to lead off the inning, advanced to second on Chase Sutter’s single, took third on a delayed steal, and scored on a passed ball with Alex Abelson at the plate.
“I was just waiting until they weren’t paying attention, then I went and hoped for the best,” Butler said about his stolen base.
Butler’s run was just the start for Darien in the fourth.
“It’s been a game and a half where we couldn’t get the offense to click at the same time, and that fourth inning, we got a couple guys on,” Paccione said. “Hugh worked a great walk, some awesome baserunning by Hugh to kind of get the energy up, then the bats came alive with some big hits.”
Abelson’s RBI single scored Sutter, who advanced to second on the passed ball, for a 3-1 lead. Abelson was forced out on a fielder’s choice, but moved up to second on a throwing error. A walk to Jack Houlihan put runners on first and second, then Charlie MacLane’s RBI double gave Darien a 4-1 lead. Roscoe Hurty walked, and after Lincoln got a forceout at the plate, Joey Paccione walked to bring home MacLane for a 5-1 lead. A bases loaded walk to Logan Masi scored Hurty for a 6-1 advantage.
Paquette certainly loved having the big lead. He gave up one run while recording the final six outs of the game.
“Knowing you can trade runs for outs is really helpful, so just take a little off (a pitch), throw strikes and try to do your best,” Paquette said.
Darien gets a couple days off to both have fun and work to get ready for another elimination game Wednesday.
Note: There is a new umpire development center at the A. Bartlett Giamatti Little League Leadership Center, and two longtime strike callers are a big part of it.
The center is the home of the East Region umpire development program, and it’s being named after umpire-in-chief Frank Policano and assistant umpire-in-chief Dr. Michael Lantiere. Both were honored on the field prior to the Metro Region elimination game.
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