SEYMOUR – Seymour’s own softball star Courtney Barton may not have scored a national title during the recent Little League homerun derby, but she came home with an experience not many 13-year-olds can brag about.
Courtney was one of only eight girls from across the country who earned a spot in the 2025 T‑Mobile Little League Home Run Derby Championship. The event took place on Aug. 21 at Volunteer Stadium in Williamsport, Pa., and was aired on ESPN the next day.
The Seymour Middle School eighth grader knocked three home runs out of the park in 90 seconds during the competition’s first round.
It wasn’t enough to qualify for the next round – but Courtney still had a great time in Williamsport, she said.
In the end, it was Emma Lindhe, of Ohio, who won the national championship with 19 home runs.
“I finished with three home runs, and I was really disappointed,” Courtney said. “But I got to hang out and watch the rest of the competition which was fun. I thought the whole competition and the road to the Little League championship was really cool and I was happy to be able to be part of all of it. Just being in Williamsport was one of the most exciting things I ever competed in. And I’m thankful to all the people who showed up and supported me.”
Not only did Courtney’s mom, dad, brother, sister, aunt, uncle and cousins make the drive from Seymour to Williamsport, so did her entire travel softball team from Watertown, as well as several of her fellow players and members of Seymour’s George J. Hummel Little League.
“There were probably 20 to 30 people in my cheering section,” Courtney said. “My whole travel team came and surprised us, and I had no idea they were coming.”
Courtney’s mom Meredith Barton said the group made signs, banners and one of Courtney’s friends also made a “giant Courtney head” which could be seen far and wide in the stands.
“When they called my name (to bat) you could hear everyone cheering so loud for me from the front row,” Courtney said.
When she did step up to the plate (she was picked fifth in the order) Courtney was armed with a brand new red Ghost bat, which she had “a lot more pop” to it than her older bat. Courtney and the other girls who made it to the homerun derby were each gifted with a Ghost bat and batting gloves. They were also interviewed by ESPN analyst and USA softball gold medalist Jessica Mendoza and got to meet professional softball player Sis Bates. The family was also able to catch one of the Little League championship games where Connecticut’s own Fairfield Nationals vied, but fell just shy of clinching the World Series title.
“Just the experience of meeting all these people and talking to them, Courtney had an awesome opportunity,” Meredith Barton said. “She did amazing, had an amazing summer and got further than anyone in Seymour and Connecticut (in the national homerun derby). We were thrilled for her.”
Courtney’s road to the finals began earlier this year, when she knocked out an incredible 41 home runs at the local level of competition. Hitting all those bombs scored Courtney a place in the East Regional competition held July 13 during the MLB All-Star weekend at Coolray Field in Atlanta, Ga. At the regionals, Courtney hit 17 dingers, earning her a spot in the finals.
Back home on Aug. 22, when the homerun derby was broadcast on ESPN, members of George J. Hummel League hosted a watch party at Cast Iron Pizza to cheer on their hometown girl.
Others like Jackie Liposky, softball commissioner for George J. Hummel Little League, made the trip to see Courtney in action. She said longtime Little League coach John Lovisolo organized a caravan of 20 people who drove to Williamsport to show their support.
“It was a fun day,” Liposky said via an email. “Courtney had a great time and even signed some autographs for kids that were there. Courtney should definitely be very proud of her accomplishments, the first of many more to come.”
Courtney, who just began her first day of school Wednesday (Aug. 27) at Seymour Middle School said she’s looking forward to playing for the SMS Cougars again this year. She’ll also be advancing to the 14U team with her travel softball team, the Watertown Rapids, as well as playing basketball and volleyball at SMS.