Perrin Delorey was an avid Little League player.
Eight years ago, the Greens Farms Elementary School 4th grader died in an automobile accident.
Every year since, Westport Little League has presented Perrin Delorey Awards to deserving young players.
Saturday’s ceremony was particularly special — and poignant. Today, Perrin’s friends, teammates and classmates graduate from Staples High School.
Saturday was a big day in Westport baseball for another reason: The Staples Wreckers won the state championship.
Westport Little League president Jeff Brill is the father of Connor Brill — a senior, and a Staples star.
It was a big day for Jeff, and he could not be in 2 places — Westport, and Middletown’s Palmer Field — at once. But on Friday, he wrote this note to the Delorey family.
We historically play all of our Little League championship games on the same Saturday, and present the awards at a single ceremony.
It was not possible this year to schedule all of the games on the same Saturday, due to various conflicts for the kids and coaches with other events. As a result, we are bringing the other 2026 winners and their families to this ceremony.
They are Ryan Acampora (Majors), Wynn Donnerstag (AAA), Colton Galati (AA) and Major Martino (A).
The Delorey family (left), and Perrin Delorey Award winners.
I am pleased to tell you that the Cubs (with number 5 retired for Perrin) beat the Phillies today on the 8th anniversary in a karmic ending and won the game, including for Perrin.
That brings me to my own conflict. The Staples varsity baseball team is playing in the championship game at noon tomorrow in Middletown. It will be the end of the baseball journey for many of these boys, including my son.
It is with a heavy heart that I will be unable attend the ceremony tomorrow at Kowalsky Field (where Perrin’s bench and banner are located) with you, as we honor the 2026 winners of Perrin’s award prior to the A League championship game.
It was very important to me to attend and introduce the awards this year, given that he would have graduated on Monday and the inaugural Staples Tuition Grants fund was launched this year.
Despite my best efforts to re-schedule the Little League championship game to morning or late afternoon tomorrow, and with some optimism hoped the Staples game would be scheduled for the late afternoon or evening slot, I was unsuccessful given other scheduling conflicts.
Desmin Borges, one of our commissioners (and the 2026 Cubs manager coincidentally) will be presenting tomorrow on my behalf.
Perrin Award ceremony.
While Desmin may lack in interaction with Perrin and unfamiliarity with the prior history of the award, he surpasses me in passion, energy and presentation. He will ensure that the winners are duly acknowledged, and welcomed into the pantheon of prior winners in your presence.
I learned that he has a deep understanding of the importance of these awards, and how special the moment is, when we met today to prepare. When the rainbow appeared, Desmin noted, “Perrin is here with us.”
You will hear this passion when he introduces the teams before the national anthem.
Other members of our board will attend as well. I have asked one of them to record the proceedings so I can watch later in the day.
And starting at noon, 2 of Perrin’s former Cub teammates and several of his classmates and friends will take the field to try to bring home the state championship for Staples 2 days before graduation, while another of his friends going back to elementary school calls the game on the radio.
The team will once again try its best, and seek to win one for Perrin. I will have his baseball card in my pocket.
Go Wreckers — and congratulation to the 2026 Cubs and the Perry Delorey winners.
PS: James Delorey and his 2 daughters came to the bus send-off for the baseball team at Staples on Saturday morning. They wore Cubs and Westport baseball jerseys.
PPS: So how did the Wreckers celebrate? They and their families headed over to the Brills’ house.
Icing on the cake: They watched the New York Knicks win a championship of their own.
PPPS: Jeff Brill coached Perrin and Connor Brill, when both were Cubs.
Westport Little League canceled the championship game that year. A memorial service was held.
Now, 8 year later, the Cubs won the AA Little League title — and Perrin’s former teammates won the high school state championship. It is quite a story.
Major Martino (left), one of the 4 Perrin Delorey Award winners.
Congratulations to all the winners on Saturday!
To the Perrin Award winners: You have earned the respect and recognition of your coaches and teammates and I wish you continued success.
To the Staples: What an accomplishment! I remember many of you from your Little League days and I have really enjoyed watching you play over the years, particularly this season. All the best.
And to Jeff Brill: You have been so supportive to our family over the years and it has meant a great deal. But, the energy, insight and dedication you have brought to overseeing the Little League program has been truly amazing. You are a winner and so many in Westport have benefited from your efforts.
Not only is Jeff Brill compassionate, he is completely dedicated to Westport Little League despite working full time as a high-powered attorney. It pained him to miss the Perrin Delorey award ceremony but he made sure it was in good hands. He not only created the award but also inspired numerous other initiatives that continue to benefit the program. Our town’s Little League could not have a more capable, brilliant and dedicated leader!
This is beautiful.