Burlington County Commissioners proclaim August 28, 2022 as ‘Marlton Chiefs Day’ in honor of youth baseball team’s World Series championship

Special celebration planned Sunday afternoon at Evesham’s Diamonds at Arrowhead Park

EVESHAM – Marlton’s best-in-the-nation baseball team is getting a day all their own.

The Marlton 10U Chiefs Baseball Team was the winner of this year’s Cal Ripken World Series and Evesham Township has planned a special celebration for them this Sunday, Aug. 28 at Diamonds at Arrowhead Park in Evesham. In advance of the celebration, the Burlington County Commissioners have issued a proclamation declaring August 28, 2022 to be “Marlton Chiefs Day” across the county in recognition of the team’s stellar season.

“What this team accomplished was exceptional and our Board wanted to do something to make their celebration extra special,” said Burlington County Commissioner Director Dan O’Connell. “This proclamation honors the Marlton Chiefs players and coaches for the character and determination they demonstrated during their championship run, as well as the community pride they help generate within Evesham and across Burlington County.”

“Burlington County is home to a number of well-known and outstanding athletes, and we can now add the 2022 Cal Ripken World Series to the list of standouts,” added Commissioner Allison Eckel. “The team’s championship is a remarkable accomplishment that our Board is thrilled to celebrate.”

Evesham Mayor Jaclyn Veasy and Deputy Mayor Heather Cooper said the Chiefs’ World Series championship is an achievement Evesham and the entire county can celebrate.

“I want to personally congratulate the players, coaches, families and everyone involved with Marlton Baseball and the Marlton Rec Council who made this championship win possible,” said Evesham Mayor Jaclyn Veasy. “In addition to providing a safe outlet for our children to remain healthy and active, our youth sports programs instill our youngest residents with valuable life lessons such as teamwork, communication, and building a sense of community. These are traits we try to promote through everything we do in Evesham Township, and our 10U champions exemplify the very best of these qualities.”

“I hope everyone in Evesham Township is as excited as our Mayor and Town Council for the chance to honor these world championship athletes on Sunday,” said Evesham Deputy Mayor Heather Cooper. “This is yet another amazing opportunity for our community to come together and celebrate a piece of what makes Evesham such an inclusive and healthy community to live in.”

The Cal Ripken World Series is the national championship tournament for the Cal Ripken youth baseball league. This year’s tournament was held earlier this month in Vincennes, Indiana and featured 20 teams from across the country.

The Chiefs qualified for the World Series by winning the Mid Atlantic Regional Title. During the ten-day tournament, the Chiefs were undefeated in both group stage and the knockout rounds. They won the championship game 4-3 against Julington, Florida, courtesy of a walk-off hit in the final inning.

The Marlton Chiefs Baseball Team was led by head coach Mike Appalucci and assistants Jason Siitonen, Brian Gable, Scott Graham, Chris West and Dan Incollingo;. The Commissioners’ Proclamation commends them and their players:  Aiden Siitonen, Michael Appalucci, Drew Gable, Nicholas Hopp, Kellan Graham, Danny Incollingo, Christopher Cameron, Clayton Westerside, Kyle Burgess, Brayden Ziegler, Jacob McGonigle and Cole West

Sunday’s championship celebration is scheduled for 3 PM at Diamonds at Arrowhead Park, 984 Tuckerton Road. Residents are encouraged to attend and help honor the team.

The text of the Burlington County Commissioners’ Proclamation follows:

Wheareas, the Marlton Chiefs 10-year-old Baseball team from Evesham Township in Burlington County had a remarkable 2022 season competing in the Cal Ripken Baseball League; and

Whereas, the Marlton Chiefs advanced to this year’s 2022 Cal Ripken World Series tournament in Vincennes, Indiana by winning the Mid-Atlantic Championship; and

Whereas, during the World Series tournament the team was undefeated in group play, had the best defensive record and advanced to the knockout stage as the top seed; and

Whereas, the team defeated Oahu, Hawaii 5-3 in the quarter-finals and Willamette Valley, Oregon 4-2 in the semi-final round to advance to the championship game against Julington Creek, Florida; and

Whereas, the Marlton Chiefs won the championship 4-3 thanks to a walk-off double in the bottom of the final inning; and

Whereas, the team showed tremendous character and determination during their championship season and their success generated community pride and spirit in Evesham and across Burlington County; and

Whereas, the team’s championship adds to Burlington County’s rich tradition of excellence in sports and athletics and the Burlington County Commissioners wish to congratulate the team and commend players Aiden Siitonen, Michael Appalucci, Drew Gable, Nicholas Hopp, Kellan Graham, Danny Incollingo, Christopher Cameron, Clayton Westerside, Kyle Burgess, Brayden Ziegler, Jacob McGonigle and Cole West, along with the team’s head coach Mike Appalucci and assistant coaches Jason Siitonen, Brian Gable, Scott Graham, Chris West and Dan Incollingo; now, therefore be it

Resolved that the Burlington County Commissioners recognize and honor the Marlton Chiefs 10U Baseball Team and proclaims August 28, 2022 as Marlton Chiefs Day in Burlington County.