By Ed Kiersh

To many, Westport’s Legends of the Game sports memorabilia shop is rapidly becoming known as Yankee Stadium North.

Legends of the Game owner Michael Riccio waits on customer Spencer Burns, 14, of Westport. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Ed Kiersh for WestportNow.com

Located in the Compo Shopping Center, the shop, which is celebrating its one-year anniversary this month, attracts autograph enthusiasts, baseball card collectors, and assorted nostalgia seekers. But the flood of Yankee supporters puts owner Michael Riccio, 30, in “a tough bind.” He’s an avowed Boston Red Sox fan who sells a wide range of Sox-logoed waste baskets, David Ortiz jerseys and dog bowls celebrating Fenway Park.

The John Ward award presentation took place at Meyer Field in Westport.  It is given annually to the 8th grader in the Juniors (U14) softball league who exemplifies good sportsmanship and their love for the game.  It is given in memory of the late John Ward, a popular league coach who passed away in 1990. The recipient is voted on by the league’s coaches.  This year winner is Courtney Garzone of the Chargers.  Pictured (l-r): Sue White, VP of girls’ softball, Courtney Garzone and Bill Meyer, former VP of girls’ softball and annual presenter. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Allen Bomes for WestportNow.com

The Mariners celebrate victory over the Orioles after the Westport Little League Minors Championship game today. Bob Sloat and Ron Bonnefant coached the Mariners to victory at Kowaslksy Field. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Josh Moritz for WestportNow.com

The Staples High School boys volleyball team overpowered Southington tonight 3-0 to capture the Class L state championship and finish a perfect
season in a match played in West Hartford. 
The Staples team poses for a victory photo after tonight’s win in West Hartford. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Lauren Siegert for WestportNow.com

Staples has now won six out of the last seven state championships with coach Bruce Betts at the helm. 

The top-seeded Wreckers defeated the sixth-seeded Blue Knights 25-17 in the first game and followed 25-18 and 25-20 to complete the match.

The undefeated Staples team was led by senior tri-captain veterans Ben King, Will Richardson and Austin Siegert. King and Richardson were previously voted First Team All-FCIAC hitters and Siegert was named Second Team All-FCIAC setter. Also graduating is senior Tom D’Agostino.