By Tim Morris
A trip to the Little League’s Junior League World Series will be on the line this week at the Freehold Township Little League’s Complex at Michael Tighe Park.
State champions from Maine to Maryland will compete from Aug. 5-10 for the right to represent the East at the World Series.
The district champion of the host Little League (District 19 for Freehold Township Little League) gets to skip the section and state tournaments and move on straight to the regional. It is a perk for hosting the tournament, which means that the Freehold Township all-stars once again get to play at home.
Freehold Township captured the District 19 title Aug. 27, defeating a very good Lincroft squad, 10-6, in extra innings. It was the team’s ninth consecutive win in the tournament and by far its toughest challenge.
Following the script of Freehold Township Little League’s Major and Senior league teams, the Juniors took the difficult route — out of the loser’s bracket — to win the District 19 championship.
Freehold Township’s resolve was tested from the start, as Lincroft defeated Freehold Township, 7-2, in their opening game, sending Freehold Township down to the loser’s bracket early.
Undeterred, Freehold Township came back to beat Two River West, 13-2, Middletown, 13-1, and Tinton Falls, 15-9, to earn a second shot at Lincroft, which marched to the district final July 27 undefeated.
In the double-elimination tournament, that meant that Freehold Township would have to beat Lincroft twice to capture the tournament.
Freehold Township forced the if-necessary game July 28 at the Freehold Township Little League Complex at Michael Tighe Park by handing Lincroft its first loss, 10-2.
The next night, both teams were facing elimination and neither wanted to go home. The game went to 10 innings before Freehold Township could claim the championship with a 10-6 victory.
Freehold Township will head to the Eastern Regional 5-0 in elimination games. The team has momentum.
The 2016 Freehold Township Little League Junior League all-star players are Andrew Bernstein, Zander Ginter, Nick Ernst, Pat Reilly, Sean Fiolek, Brandon Ramos, Kyle Wearich, Nicky Schulman, Pat Borromeo, Robby Beam, Dylan Shah, Danny Molina and Sean Wodell.
Freehold Township plays its first game Aug. 5 at 4 p.m. when it meets Connecticut state champion Edgewood Little League from Bristol.
District 19 champions have hardly been overpowered over the 12 years that Freehold Township has held the regional. Three District 19 winners have gone on to the World Series: Freehold Township in 2005 and 2010 and Middletown in 2007.
Last year’s regional winner was New Jersey champion Ridgewood.
The states participating in the regional with their champion (if known) are Connecticut (Edgewood), Delaware (Camden-Wyoming), Maine (Bronco/Hermon), Maryland (West Salisbury), Massachusetts (Canton), New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island (Elmwood/Providence).
Canton Little League is a previous regional winner (2008).
Since Freehold Township began holding the tournament in 2005, New Jersey has had the most winners (six). In addition to last year’s champion, Ridgewood, Freehold Township (2005, 2010) and Middletown (2007), the other champions were North Cumberland Little League and Holbrook Little League (2009).
The double-elimination tournament concludes Aug. 10 with the championship game that starts at 10 a.m. The if-necessary game will follow at 1 p.m.
Thanks to hundreds of volunteers from the community and support from local businesses, president Mike LaCava and the Freehold Township Little League put on a flawless tournament that puts the Little League players first. It requires a lot of behind-the-scenes work to keep the field in great shape, provide lodging for the teams and concessions at the field.
On Aug. 4, there is a Champion Recognition Banquet for the teams and guests.
On Aug. 6, the day begins with the Parade of Champions at Tighe Park starting at 9 a.m., followed by baseball all day.