The Hilton Head AA All-Stars received a commendation from Hilton Head Island mayor Drew Laughlin on Tuesday at Town Hall in honor of their runner-up finish in the 2012 Dixie Youth Baseball AA Region II Machine Pitch World Series in Hartselle, Ala.

The 12 boys and four coaches from Hilton Head Island fell to Troy, 7-3, in the championship game on July 24 in front of a contingent of 60 friends and family members who made the trek to Alabama.

"We thought it was just really a great finish to a season that the mayor and the town council would recognize us for our efforts," manager Adam Markowitz said. "The town of Hilton Head has been so supportive. That they would recognize us is just the cherry on top."

Markowitz said the players were impressed with the honor.

"The kids thought it was just absolutely great," he said. "They thought it was really cool to get to shake (the mayor's) hand."

The boys, 7- and 8-years-old this season, will move up and play AAA Minors next spring and most will likely be on different teams. After the season, the top 12 boys will be selected for the all-star round, once again.

"They know exactly what they're playing for now," said Markowitz, who said he took something from this season as well.

"I've just been able to appreciate the true meaning of a team," he said. "I had never experienced it."

The Hilton Head Island All-Stars are Tate Miller, Juju Mlodzinski, James Layman, Kyle Markowitz, Tommy Stauffer, Grant Musselman, Brahm Py, Jack Boyce, Jace Blackshear, Austin Murray, Reymar Matos, Cal Bernstein.

Along with Markowitz, the coaches are Bryan Murray, Rod Musselman and Pete Bernstein.