Eleven tri-town Little League players are preparing for the trip of a lifetime – a week at the baseball mecca Cooperstown Dreams Park in New York.

“It’s a tradition we want the kids to have, a good experience to end their career as Little Leaguers,” said Derek Mello, a coach for the 12-year-olds and president of Old Rochester Little League.

A group of tri-town kids in their final year of Little League have gone to Cooperstown for at least five years in a row.

“It’s an experience not a lot of kids get to do,” said Mello, whose son is part of the group this year.

During their time at the park, the boys will be busy, playing at least two games a day while also meeting other Little Leaguers from across the country.

“It’s an amazing experience that we have the opportunity to do,” said James Mills of Rochester.

The boys still have to complete their last Little League season (the opener is April 30 in Rochester). They come from several teams, so once the season is finished, they’ll start meeting together to practice before heading to New York, where they hope to have a good showing.

“We’re going to try our hardest,” said Max Richardson of Mattapoisett.

Although the trip is still months away, the team has already started to fundraise. For the 11 players and three coaches who will attend, the trip costs a hefty $13,425.

Some parents are holding individual fundraisers to help with the fees. The team also has fundraisers in the works, including a dinner night in June at Matt’s Blackboard and a silent auction.

The team members are: Lucas Mello, James Mills, Andrew Dunn, Apollo Prefontaine, Gus Ackerman, Riley Farrell, George Barry, Joe Dumas, Max Richardson, Matthew Bennett, Reece Vandal. They will be accompanied by coaches Derek Mello, Bob Dumas
and Ken Ackerman.

Anyone can donate to the trip through the Little League group, a registered nonprofit.

Checks can be made out to Buzzards Bay Baseball and mailed to Buzzards Bay Baseball, c/o Derek Mello, 46 Winfield St, East Freetown, MA 02717.