Ocean Co. to Host NJ Little League Playoffs [AUDIO]
The home of two Little League World Championship winners will be hosting the state Little League and Junior League championships this summer. Berkeley Township Little League president Bob Everett said the state championships are held in different counties on a 20-year rotation.
"This is the first time since 1994 it will be played in Ocean County," Everett said. "The last time was at the Manchester Little League, and this year it will be at our Berkeley Little League Moorage Baseball Complex."
Little League State Championship Week begins Tuesday, July 22, and will possibly run to Monday, July 28, if the teams have to face each other in a "do or die" game. Everett said they'll have a busy week lined up.
"So we'll actually have four games going on, on Wednesday," he said. "On Thursday, we have a built-in rain date with a lot of special events that will be happening, including a celebration of the Little League's 75th anniversary. Friday, we're back to baseball with four more games. Then on Saturday, our plan is to have the first of a couple of elimination games in the morning."
He went on to say that Sunday is the potential championship day.
As mentioned earlier, Ocean County Little League teams have won the Little League World Series twice: Lakewood in 1975 and Toms River East in 1998. Everett said he's hoping that having the state championships in Ocean County will bring local teams a little luck.
"Our little leagues consistently have really good success in the tournaments," he said, "and so we're hoping that with the home-field advantage, more or less, that maybe we can get another good run there and bring some excitement around."
Following the state championships, it's off to the regionals in Connecticut, then the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania in August.
Get the details about the state championships at shoresportsnetwork.com or berkeleylittleleague.org.
Everett said he is also in the process of lining up activities, entertainment and sponsors, and that if anyone has any suggestions for either of these, to please contact BerkeleyLL@comcast.net.