Baseball bat striking home plate with glove and ball at sunset, scoreboard shows 8-7 in ninth inning

The Patriot Ledger’s coverage of the Zone 6A American Legion baseball games on July 13, 1971, revealed a series of thrilling matches that left fans on the edge of their seats. One of the most notable upsets occurred when Norwood defeated league leader Needham in a closely contested game.

As the evening began, Needham’s Jack Recco was dominating the mound, having pitched a no-hit lead through five innings against Norwood. However, Norwood managed to tie the score at 1-1 after five innings. Despite allowing only three hits, Needham’s inability to contain Norwood’s offense proved costly in the end.

In the eighth inning, Joe Porcello tripled and was sent home on a wild pitch, securing Norwood’s victory with a final score of 2-1. This unexpected turn of events left fans stunned, as logic would have dictated that Needham emerge victorious given their strong performance throughout the game.

Babe Ruth Teams Positioned For Tournament Sweep-July 7, 2008

Norwood Babe Ruth Squads Dominate District 5 Tournament Openers The annual predictability of summer rituals arrived alongside the late June heat as Norwood Babe Ruth programs established early dominance in the District 5 Double-Elimination Tournament. With the 13, 14, and 15-year-old all-star squads each securing a pair of victories at the end of June, the…
Norwood Completes Unlikely Run With Title-June 10, 1991

Armed with only one returning starter and surviving a rocky 4-4 start, the Mustangs pull off a late-inning rally to secure a historic diamond crown. Categories (3–6 layout-appropriate tags): local history, schools, sports, baseball
Mustangs Batter Harbormen in Sectional Quarterfinal Rout-June 4, 1991

Pitching took a backseat as the Norwood High baseball order erupted for 16 hits and 18 runs to punch their ticket to the South sectional semifinals.
Norwood American Legion Baseball Team Battles to a Tie Against Andover-July 27, 1990

⠀ The Norwood American Legion baseball team battled against Andover in a thrilling 10-inning game, coming back from a 4-0 deficit to tie 5-5.
Adams, Norwood work OT-June 6, 1988

A long, grinding tournament matchup turned wild as Norwood clawed back from a five‑run deficit, blasted two game‑saving homers, and leaned on an unlikely pitching hero.
Bob Baxter Dominates New England American Legion Baseball Tournament-August 27, 1987

Harvard’s All-Ivy League pitcher Bob Baxter led Norwood to success at the 1987 New England American Legion Baseball Tournament with a dominant pitching performance against Concord.
Legion Baseball Built on Wall-August 14, 1987

Entering the Massachusetts state semifinals against Natick, Norwood American Legion baseball is guided by legendary 24-year head coach Pete Wall.
Ace Baxter Dominates on Mound-August 12, 1987

Pitcher Bob Baxter struck out nine and drove in four runs, leading Norwood American Legion to a 9-1 victory over Reading in the Eastern Section series.
Norwood American Legion Baseball Team One Win Away from State Title and Regional Berth-August 12, 1986

With a dominant 30-1 record, the Norwood American Legion baseball team faces Aldenville at Sargent Field in New Bedford seeking a second consecutive state championship.
Norwood’s Tom Baxter Tosses Complete-Game Four-Hitter in New England Babe Ruth Tournament-August 4, 1986

Ace righthander Tom Baxter tossed a complete-game four-hitter with seven strikeouts to lead the Norwood Babe Ruth All-Stars past Maine 2-1 in the New England tournament opener in Warwick, R.I.