When the Goffstown High School baseball squad won the Class L state championship in 2008, the team bus made a stop on the short ride home from MerchantsAuto.com Stadium in Manchester.

The bus pulled into the town’s Little League complex. Lights were on. Games were in progress.

Upon seeing the bus, the players stopped.

Everyone on the field and in the stands came to the fence and applauded the athletes who, years earlier, had played on that same field, saluting an accomplishment shared with an entire town.

Rich Thomas, the current Goffstown Junior Baseball president, isn’t exaggerating when he says the spirit of baseball stretches throughout Goffstown, particularly as the league celebrates its 50th anniversary of play.

“It’s a 50-year culmination of community involvement,” said Thomas. “It’s a celebration of what everyone does just without thinking. Every year when we come out here for opening day, it’s special.”

On May 2 the town hosted a parade and brought together a variety of guests, including Mike Grady, who played in the inaugural season.

Grady now owns Collector’s Heaven in Manchester, and said the lessons he learned on the diamond transcended sports.

“I would not have the business I have today if it were not for this Little League. There’s no doubt in my mind,” said Grady. “This got me started, gave me the love for sports and to work with people. It all started right here 50 years ago.”

One of the shining moments in the storied history of Goffstown baseball came in 2000, when the town’s 11- and 12- year-old team made it to the national spotlight by earning a spot in the Little League World Series.

Ben Collins was a key member of the team, throwing a nohitter against the heavily favored team from the Bronx to clinch a spot in Williamsport, Pa.

“Baseball means a lot to Goffstown, and it’s nice to be a part of that,” said Collins. “You’re 12 years old, you get to come out here on a beautiful day, toss a ball around, and people come out to watch you play. You just can’t beat that. It’s the glory days when you’re this age.”

Dave French has twice been the president of the league, and he said what has made the town so successful is the connection between baseball players of all ages.

“It’s about looking forward and also looking back at the same time through baseball,” said French. “The strength of the baseball program comes from kids looking forward to being a part of the high school team. Then the high school kids reach back and help out the younger kids, and that’s how you develop a strong program.”

French said the young athletes are able to develop a strong foundation by taking to the diamond. “With any team sport, you’re taking the social aspect (from) it, making friends and learning a lot of things,” said French. “You’re learning about winning and losing, and how to do so with good sportsmanship.”

Fifty years ago, Grady helped other volunteers with the landscaping of the field, and he was finally able to take one of his favorite hobbies and apply it in a competitive way.

“We’re talking someone who loved baseball every morning, getting up and enjoying every second of it, but there was no league,” said Grady. “The thrill of becoming a team member, for me it didn’t get better than that.”

Grady’s memories of the league remain vivid, even 50 years removed from his playing days.

“Goffstown has done the best job in the world. It’s the greatest town in the world,” said Grady. “Goffstown baseball meant everything and means everything to me.”