Dental Arts of Westwood Athletes of the Month: Elliott Harris and Alex Dayton

A highlight of the annual Little League Baseball and Westwood Youth Softball Parade is watching the current varsity teams line up on the baselines of Morrison Field, players wearing their uniforms, looming large over the kids who will someday follow in their footsteps. For many of these Wolverines, including senior baseball standouts Elliott Harris and Alex Dayton, it’s easy to recall when things were the other way around.
 

“You always look back at your Little League experience,” said Elliott. “It was great playing on this diamond, coming out every night with your friends. Whether it’s either watching the game, playing in it, or just being around. It’s a great atmosphere here. Snack Shack’s fun. You look back at these times and yeah, you just reminisce.”
 

“My best memory from Little League? In third grade I won the championship for the minor leagues,” said Alex. “That was a lot of fun.”
 

Head coach Brian Whelan has watched the group mature through the years and was feeling confident as the Wolverines jumped out to a fast start. “Those guys accomplished a lot last year,” he said. “They had some success and I think they realized some of the younger guys could step up this year and we’ll see how that works out. Time will tell.” Harris is best described as the Wolverines’ sparkplug. “I pitch, I play shortstop and I’m the lead-off hitter,” said Elliott. “I set the tempo, set the tone – whether it’s either starting the game on the mound, leading off the game or playing defense. Just setting the tempo, getting the guys ready to get out there and get it done.”
 

“He is very vocal,” said Alex. “He took charge against Dover. We had a little bit of a scrap and he made it clear they weren’t gonna be able to push us around. He’s a good player who just carries himself really well.”
 

Harris will attend Quinnipiac University next fall and hopes to make the baseball team as a walk-on. If not, he’ll play club ball to stay engaged. Dayton, meanwhile, will continue his baseball career at Wentworth Institute of Technology.
 

“Probably the best hitter in our league right now,” said Elliott. He plays amazing defense. He’s amazing at the plate and on the mound, all around. Good kid and you can see how the team really rallies behind him. He a great leader, great friend, great teammate.” Coach Whelan likes to keep things in perspective, and constantly reminds his players about the true priorities they should be focusing on. “It’s game and it should be fun and the outcome’s going to be the outcome, but you’re kids only for a short, short amount of time,” he said.
 

Elliott and Alex, who’ve been playing together for years and did a great job leading this year’s squad, understand that and have continued to build on the great tradition of Westwood baseball.
 

Some day in the future, they may visit the alma mater and watch the kids play who idolized them on this beautiful spring morning in 2024.
 

Congratulations, Elliott and Alex! If you want to nominate someone to be a future Dental Arts of Westwood Athlete of the Month, email Diana Bezdedeanu at dbezdedeanu@bestversionmedia.com