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MANSFIELD: Northern Burlington 9U team presents winning season

   MANSFIELD — When the Northern Burlington 9U boys district baseball team lined up on the third base line to receive its Cal Ripken District 1 Championship trophies on the night of June 27 in Montgomery, New Jersey — something seemed very familiar.
   For these 12 boys from local area towns of Mansfield, Chesterfield, Springfield and North Hanover, representing the Northern Burlington Instructional Athletic Association (NBIAA), it was almost a year ago to the day that they rallied in the late innings to bring home the first place hardware as 8 year olds.
   This year, it was a monster 10-run third inning that sealed the 12-6 victory against Montgomery Township, leading the local players to their second Cal Ripken Championship in as many years.
   The victory in the District 1 Tournament capped off what has been a stellar tournament season.
   In May, June and July of this year, the boys took first place New Jersey honors at the Blast at the Beach Tournament in Mannahawkin; the Pinelands Classic Tournament in Tabernacle; and the Falcon Frenzy Tournament in Burlington.
   In the face of very tough competition in each of these tournaments, the boys’ “never quit” attitude, which has become a signature of the team, carried the day as they staged multiple late game comebacks and two out rallies.
   With the win in the District Tournament, the boys earned the right to represent District 1 in the Cal Ripken Southern New Jersey State Tournament, which started on July 22 in Marlton.
   The boys suffered an early setback as they lost to a strong Marlton team in their first game, and were faced with the challenge of fighting their way back through the loser’s bracket.
   Again the boys didn’t give up, and over four thrilling hot July nights, they rattled off four consecutive wins, beating last year’s state champions, from Moorestown, to earn the right to play for the State Championship.
   Unfortunately, the dream of a State Championship win will have to wait for one more year, as the boys lost 9-6 in the championship game to an excellent team from Washington Township.
   In spite of the loss in the state finals, the boys are deserving of much praise for their tremendous achievements in 2012.
   These local players finished the year with a 21-4 record, outscored their opponents 243 to 108 runs, and displayed outstanding sportsmanship and teamwork.
   Bravo to the Northern Burlington 9U players, their families and coaches, from the Register-News!
   Ralph Ulisse is the author of this guest column featured in today’s Register Spotlight. He is from Mansfield.