[official site], First Row: Scott Fisher, Todd Frazier, Eric Campesi, Brad Frank, R. J. Johansen, Chris Cardone, Joe Franceschini, Second Row: Coach Joe Franceschini, Coach Ken Kondek, Gabe Gardner, Casey Gaynor, Tom Gannon, Chris Crawford, Mike Belostock, Mgr. How it shaped him:"He was clutch," Fisher said of his old teammate's positive response to pressure, which was contagious. His reflections on life as a 12-year-old world champion are similar to those of his teammates, and the humble eloquence that MLB officials recognized in 2015 is plain. How it shaped him: Did winning the Little League World Series make Gannon a better soccer player? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. NEW! Toms River, Massapequa Little League teams vying for World Series spot 02:51. His family: He lives in Virginia with his wife of just three months, Caroline, and their cat, Rock Star. Toms River, New Jersey, defeated Kashima, Ibaraki, Japan in the championship game of the 52nd Little League World Series. What he did after 1998: Fisher played for Seton Hall and for Stockton University, where he was the school's all-time doubles and home run leader and was inducted into its athletic hall of fame. What he's doing now: Todd Frazier, 32, plays for the New York Mets, now in his eighth season in the major leagues as a 6-foot-3, 215-pound power-hitting infielder. I work on a shipboard network system that manages all aircraft launch and recovery data on aircraft carriers, he said. Even before that, Fraziers life seemed charmed by one triumph after another, including quarterbacking a Pop Warner football championship team and winning an NFL Punt, Pass and Kick competition. He also recalled the final game against Japan, standing in right field and, in between pitches, scanning the 40,000 fans crowding the remarkably professional but scaled-down stadium and the grassy hillside overlooking the outfield. It was a good ride, he said of his playing days. Toms River Council Vice President Matt Lotano said a street in downtown Toms River would be closed for a broadcast of the game. ABC7 New York 24/7 Eyewitness News Stream, What to know about invasion of spotted lanternfly, Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts. More:For Toms River East Little League, World Series glory within reach - here's why. 1999 Little League World Series; Tournament details; Dates: August 22-August 28: Teams: 8: Final positions; Champions: Hirakata Little League Osaka, Japan: Runners-up: . East Carolina has become a perennial powerhouse in the National Club Baseball Association, with a 2017 NCBA World Series title and alumni including Tanner Duncan, now pitching in the Houston Astros organization. That is a step up from the 75 pitches for 9 and 10 year olds, and 10 pitches under the 95 limit for 13-16 year olds. How it shaped him: Gaynor said the bond that spirit helped to forge let him and his teammates shut out the distractions and pressures of playing before crowds numbering in the thousands, with millions more viewers watching on television. District 18 Champs. It's an inspiration for the younger kids, inspiration for the whole town," Massapequa resident Bill Martin said. He didnt allow a hit in the outing. . BRISTOL, Conn. After rising up to win a pair of elimination games to reach the Metro Region championship game, Toms River Easts magical run ended a win short of reaching the Little League World Series Friday night. . . Toms River East found relief and a momentum change after Dominic Roma replaced Frazier and delivered back-to-back strikeouts to end the inning. He then pitched for a season with the now-defunct Newark Bears, finishing his professional career with a combined 10-6 record. Toms River Little League PO Box 1353, 181 Mapletree Rd Toms River, New Jersey 08754 Phone: 732-244-5005 Email: [email protected] There were local celebrations, too. So I am proud of these kids and I told them that.. For Toms River East, it's a second straight state title. MASSAPEQUA, Long Island (WABC) -- Massapequa Coast Little League defeated Toms River East for a spot in the Little League World Series. I just walked out there and told them I loved them and I was proud of them," Mendes said. " Toms River Ramstein Air Base Europe Ramstein American Phenix City, AL South National Hirakata, Osaka Far East Hirakata Boise, ID West South Central Boise Yabucoa Joey Lionetti pitched a no-hitter in the 4-0 win. Mike Gaynor. Toms River, N.J. 1999: Hirakata, Osaka, Japan: . 1995 Little League World Series; Tournament details; Dates: August 21-August 26: Teams: 8: Final positions; Champions: Shan-Hua Little League Tainan, Taiwan: Runners-up: . Casey Gaynor joined his Little League and Rutgers teammate Todd Frazier in making it to baseballs professional ranks. The state of Louisiana took home its first Little League World Series championship in 2019 when the Eastbank Little Leaugue team from River Ridge defeated Pabao Little Little of Willemstad, Curacao. In all, Lionetti allowed four baserunners, hitting three batters, while striking out nine. Mika and fans boarded a bus on Friday afternoon to support the team in person. "To put it in perspective, the lastLong Islandteam to advance to the Little League World Series was in 1978 by Rockville Centre Little League, almost 45 years ago," he said, calling the team "hometown heroes. "), who will turn 4 in September, and their 2-year-old daughter, Chloe. the expectant father wrote in an email. All Rights Reserved. The Hirakata Little League of Hirakata, Osaka, Japan, defeated Phenix City National Little League of Phenix City, Alabama, in the championship game of the 53rd LLWS. All my support systems are there, Gannon said of his home town. Next is the Metro Region Tournament, where the winner of that tournament will go on to the Little League World Series. He works as an area sales manager for Pester Marketing-Alta Convenience, a chain of gas station/convenience store outlets in the Mid-West and Rocky Mountains. The squad from the Shore dug out of a 4-1 hole by patiently grinding away at starting pitcher Eli Bucko and taking advantage of the pitching change that helped ignite their offensive rally. For the second straight Little League World Series, the only players that will be competing are those aged 11 or 12. Mike Belostock: Eric Campesi: Chris Cardone: Chris Crawford: Scott Fisher: Joe Franceschini: Brad Frank: Todd . Toms River, N.J. (Mid-Atlantic) Palm City . [1] In total, their record was 9-1, their only loss coming against Juan A. Bablioni LL of Yabucoa, Puerto Rico. But Lionetti settled down and got Brady Gillen to strike out looking, before Jayce Capello grounded out to second. Then Bekiers, the leadoff hitter, stroked an opposite-field single down the leftfield line, scoring Badagliacca from second. "They have the whole town behind them and we just wanna cheer them on," said Paul Mika, president of Toms River East Little League. "Give him all the credit in the world. Its not as exciting as it sounds.". Karen Wall , Patch Staff Posted Sat, Aug 21, 2021 at 7: . Toms River East is alive in the Little League World Series after shortstop Joey DiMeo hit a fifth-inning grand slam to put the kiss on a thrilling 11-4 comeback win over the team from Manchester, Conn. I know they are going to remember this forever. On July 24, 2022, Toms River Little League played their first game in the Little League Softball Mid-Atlantic Tournament against Georgetown, Delaware in Bristol, CT and won 6-2. We've received your submission. What he's doing now: Gabe Gardner, who played third base, now lives in Canon City, Colorado. The Little League World Series is back this year after the COVID-19 pandemic forced its cancellation in 2020, but things aren't completely back to normal in Williamsport, Penn. having already beat the Toms River East squad on Saturday, 6 . For the first time since 1975, there will only be American teams competing to win the Little League World Series. But Mascaro was able to limit the damage to just one run by striking out the next three batters. About half the players still live in Toms River, including Frazier. What he did after 1998: After Little League, Gannon attended Monsignor Donovan Catholic High School in Toms River, where he played baseball and soccer. Hill said, win or lose, the team would return to a celebratory parade. On this stage, to step up like that, he deserves every accolade he gets., "In the beginning I didn't realize it, but then I looked up at the scoreboard in the fourth inning and realized he was throwing a no-hitter," said Massapequa shortstop Christian Bekiers. Regardless of the loss today, we made it to the Metro Region final. The Little League World Series is once again placing emphasis on "world" in its 2022 tournament. Little League World Series teams, ages, pitch count & more to know for 2021 tournament, 15 sports stars who played in the Little League World Series, full 2021 Little League World Series bracket here. With no international teams this year, an American team will be named champion for the third straight edition. Toms River East is looking to reach the Little League World Series for the second consecutive season, which would make the team the first from New Jersey to accomplish the feat since the decorated Toms River East teams from 1998 and 1999. I learned the importance of working together as a team to accomplish things. Philipp LaGrossa scooped it, flipped the ball to shortstop Jayce Cappello who completed the double play to end the inning. Toms River East is alive in the Little League World Series after shortstop Joey DiMeo hit a fifth-inning grand slam to put the kiss on a thrilling 11-4 comeback win over the team from Manchester . His family: He is married to his longtime sweetheart and fellow Rutgers alum, Jackie Verdon, and the couple have a 4-year-old son, Blake, and a 2-year-old daughter, Kylie Kimberly. Fisher was among several Toms River East Little Leaguers who went on to play for Toms River East High School, though Todd Frazier went to Toms River South, a rival. "It was a long summer, for a bunch of 12-year-olds," recalled East center fielder RJ Johansen, referring to the regional competition in Bristol Connecticut that lead directly into the 5-game World Series tournament in Williamsport,meaning the boys bunked together for three straight weeks. 70 Crash Investigation Closes Lanes Friday Morning: DOT, NJ Camp Fairs at Menlo Park Mall Mar 4, 2023 - FREE to Attend (12-3PM), Raisin, The Tony-Winning Best Musical - Second Incredible Week, Un Lucky Charms Murder Mystery Dinner Show, Green Tea Matcha and Sushi Dinner Party at the Historic Mathis House, Filipino Dinner Night with Live Music at the Mathis House, Tea and Scones with the Easter Bunny at the Historic Mathis House in Downtown Toms River, Protect Your Home from Ticks with Yard Guard from Viking Pest, Firefighters Come To Kitty's Rescue In Brick, AMC Theatres In NJ To Base Pricing Off Where You Sit. We played in front of 40,000 people., "It pretty much gave me the confidence that, if you put you mind to it you can achieve pretty much anything growing up.. Game 2 for these girls is tonight at 4:00 p.m. All games can be . "And Robinson Cano. "It was pretty amazing to watch our team, like We didn't know they were gonna get this far and then they won," resident Sarah Smith said. He then went on to Rowan University, where he no longer played baseball, but played on the soccer team. "It would be great to go to the Little League World . The Upper Providence Little League team advanced to the 2021 Little League World Series on Thursday after a 6-1 win over the team from Toms River, Ocean County. By . Casey is the son of TRE manager Mike Gaynor. He then attended Rowan University, where he continued his baseball career at second base, and where his Little League teammates Tom Gannon and Eric Campesi were also students and played on the soccer team. THE GUESTBOOK! After homering in the Little League World Series, it . By the way don't expect this to be a one-year thing. Toms River East American Little League. "And to beat a legendary team like Toms River is just amazing," resident Mike Kirwan said. In Toms River, thousands of supporters cheered the team when they returned home, and other honors included a pre-game appearance on the field at Yankee Stadium. The Connecticut squad went up 1-0 in the first inning against Toms River East starter Carson Frazier when Jacob Budarz hit an RBI single. Registration Info; Board of Directors; Calendar; Photo Gallery; Field Locations; TRLL Store; Contact Us; Little League; "These kids, they really came together. What he did after 1998: Campesi, 31, was one of two 11-year-olds on the 1998 championship team, along with Casey Gaynor, who were able to play for the team again in 1999, when Toms River East again won its district title and returned to Williamsport for the World Series tournament, coming one win shy of making the championship game, when it lost to a team from Phoenix City, Alabama. How it shaped him:Even then, when Cardone and other NJIT scholar-athletes were outclassed by big-time schools fielding future major leaguers, he said having played for Toms River East, the top baseball team on the planet for 11- and 12-year-olds that year, kept him from feeling intimidated. The team leaves for Bristol, Connecticut, on Friday morning, Toms River East league officials said. Cardone played in high school and then in college ball at NJIT in Newark, where the Highlanders made the jump to Division I in 2006. A lot of emotion. Older brother Jeff Frazier paved the way for Todd, having played on the 1995 Toms River East that went to the Little League World Series, then was a standout at Toms River High School South and at . The team won this tournament way back in 1998 when current free agent Todd Frazier was 12 years old and playing on the Little . In the Section 3 tournament, Toms River East won its first two games, before losing to Milltown in the semifinals and rebounding to beat Milltown for the championship. Craig Garland, president of Massapequa Coast Little League, spoke with CBS2 before he left for the big game in Bristol. I can't believe Massapequa is in the Little League World Series," resident Anthony Cimino said. The Little League World Series has crowned a champion. Massapequa beats Toms River, advances to Little League World Series, Toms River, Massapequa Little League teams vying for World Series spot. 1998 Little League World Series Share This. His family: He still lives in Toms River, with his wife, Kristin, their 3-year-old daughter, Skyler, and 4-month-old son, Thomas Gannon III, known as Tripp. Steve Strunsky | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, four seasons pitching for the Scarlet Knights. Christopher Tennaro and Dominic Roma each provided RBI singles. After Alex Pagano singled and Mikey Castellano was hit by a pitch, Macchia got a strike out. The phenom of the 1998 Toms River East American Little League All-Star Team, Frazier led the team to the . I know they are going to. Hes just rich and famous now, with contracts that have totaled $34 million over his career. It was 20 years ago that 12-year-old Todd Frazier led off the 1998 Little League World Series championship game with a home run for his Toms River East team, then ended the game on the mound by striking out Japan's final batter. Just making it to the championship game was a dream for the Toms River East players, too. Jenna DeAngelis is an Emmy award winning journalist. They were just so happy, excited and ready to go, Mika said. He was unbelievable," Mendes said. That isn't the case in Little League. How it shaped him: Todd Frazier was not only the star of the Toms River East Little League team, he was and still is, according to his Mets teammates a natural leader with an infectious taste for fun who could lift his team with his sense of humor and his performance under pressure. Its a unique group of alumni that not a lot people can talk about or be part of, he said. I had a lot of fun doing that, he said of his triple role as player, manager and GM. Toms River, N.J . And also, once you get into Williamsport, it teaches you a lot, playing in front of large crowds, ESPN, doing interviews, Brent Musburger, he said, referring to the veteran sportscaster. Toms River East Little . Craig Garland, president of Massapequa Coast Little League, spoke with CBS2 before he left for the big game in Bristol. In the past, players as old as 13 were eligible to compete on the teams in the Little League World Series. The Hirakata LL reached the LLWS with an undefeated record of four wins and no losses. 12 year-old Todd Frazier of the New York Yankees begins and ends the 1998 Little League World Series - Toms River East American Little League. He'll also . MLB stadiums feature mounds 60 feet, 6 inches away from the plate and the basepaths are 90 feet in length. This is Massapequa's first time going to the Little League World Series in their 72-year history. The team is following in the footsteps of the 2021 Toms River East team that won the Mid-Atlantic Region title and reached the Little League World Series in Williamsport. We dont quit, Toms River East manager Paul Mika, whose team already had a loss in the double-elimination tournament, told The Post. with your family. Last year, Toms River East lost in the region final but advanced to the World Series since the top two teams got invitations because there were no international teams due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Two years after River Ridge won Louisiana's first LLWS title, Lafayette LL earned the opportunity to represent the state, kicking off their tournament with an 11-0 victory against North Boulder . Toms River East Little League still has a lifeline to get to the 2021 Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Toms River East rallied with an 8-run inning to beat Connecticut 11-4 and stay alive in the Little League World Series elimination bracket. Staff: Manager Mike Mendes, Coaches Ed Todaro and George Gallagher. Toms River East Little League: Toms River, N.J. Florida: Martin County North Little League: Palm City, Fla. Texas: Wylie Little League: . Funeral services held for NJ councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour, Tesla recalls almost 3,500 Model Y cars for loose bolts, Tom Sizemore dead at 61 after suffering brain aneurysm. They fought hard.". Toms River East was trying to reach the Little League World Series for the fifth time, including in 1995, 1998, 1999 and winning it all in 1998. Aug 21, 2021. . How it shaped him:"I think just spending that time with your friends growing up, being able to hang out, and being on a field with 40,000 people and millions of people on TV at such a young age is pretty cool," he said. Casey Gaynor credited his dad with working the 1998 championship team hard, but also keeping in mind that they were kids. Both teams are making their communities proud. 2021 Little League World Series bracket After short stints with the Chicago White Sox, where he hit 40 home runs in 2016, and only half a season with the Yankees, Frazier signed a two-year deal with the Mets in February. After going through that, there is no pressure situation Ive been in where my attitude and performance has dwindled. N.J. Little League Baseball team Toms River East advanced to the 2022 Metro Region championship game on Wednesday night. Gordon Head Little League Victoria, British Columbia. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). What he's doing now: Toms River East outfielder Richard "R.J." Johansen is a husband and dad who works as vice president for sales at Fuel Management Services, a laboratory and consulting firm based in Toms River. In the bottom of the fifth, Toms River East came roaring back. How many teams would die to be here. "Toms River Little League: 20 Years Later", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=1998_Little_League_World_Series&oldid=1113238106, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 30 September 2022, at 13:44. And as the team prepared for today's Little League World . I didnt really have a philosophy, Mike Gaynor said of his coaching style. Before he was the 2017 NL Rookie of the Year and an All-Star, Bellinger was an 11-year-old fan of Manny Ramirez in the 2007 LLWS. Registration Info; Board of Directors; Calendar; Photo Gallery; Field Locations; TRLL Store; Contact Us; Little League; Since 2010, the U.S. has had states win the Little League World Series four times, while Japan (five) and South Korea (one) have won the remaining six. Representing Texas West, Wylie defeated Colorado 3-0 Monday night to advance to a . FindNJ.com on Facebook. 1999 Little League World Series Share This. He had not given up a run in 5.1 innings at the region coming into the game. This year, Louisiana will be represented by the Lafayette Little League team. Im proud of all of them. The logo for the 2022 Little League Baseball World Series. 1998 LLWS Champions! We all had a kind of no-fear attitude.". Michael Mendes led the game off by getting hit by a pitch, advancing to second on a wild pitch. We keep fighting until the end.. High Park Little League Toms River, New Jersey East Region American Little League Dhahran, Saudi Arabia Europe Region Arabian American Little League Spring, Texas CHERRY HILL - It has been 23 years since Todd Frazier led the Toms River East Little League 12-year-old All-Stars to the Little League World Series championship and 22 since the program has won the New Jersey State Little League championship at the 12-year-old level. They are such a great group of boys, and they really came through., The best insights from the ultimate insiders, 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. 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It would have been the eighth team from Ocean County to reach the World Series, with Lakewood, which won the title in 1975, Toms River National (2010) and Jackson-Holbrook (2017) also making it. TOMS RIVER, NJ East" The Beast of the East "TOMS RIVER EAST AMERICAN ALL-STARS First Row: Scott Fisher, Todd Frazier, Eric Campesi, Brad Frank, R. J. Johansen, Chris Cardone, Joe Franceschini The 1998 Little League World Series took place from August 2329 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. TOMS RIVER, NJ For the second straight year, the Toms River East Little League has a team of All-Stars headed to the region tournament, with hopes of making a trip to the Little League World Series. The five-time All-Star and 1945 World Series champion was a fixture at the top of the lineup in the American League. Texas Rangers pitcher Lance Lynn was a member of the 1999 Brownsburg, Indiana squad that appeared in that year's Little League World Series. Can believe they did it because it's a no-quit team," resident Debbie O'Fee said. Helluva guy, just a class act, said R.J. Johansen. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Toms River East came within a game of going to the Little League World Series, coming up just short, losing to Massapequa . NJ Advance Media reached out to all 12 Toms River East players, and to the three coaches, Manager Mike Gaynor and assistants Joe Franceschini Sr. and Ken Dondek, to see what they were up to these days. Toms River's bid for the Mid-Atlantic Regional title begins Sunday when they face the winner of the Delaware-Pennsylvania game in what is a double elimination tournament. Click Here. Please enter valid email address to continue. Massapequa had to beat Toms River not once but twice in order to advance to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, which starts on Wednesday. Runners up in the Metro Region . . "He knew we needed five good innings out of him. the name of Franz Anton Hoffmeister was added to the roster.9 Of particular interest . The 1999 Little League World Series (LLWS) took place between August 22 and August 28 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Toms River East Little League has a sendoff planned for the team beginning at 6:15 p.m. on Thursday at the Little League complex, 2195 Windsor Ave. Please check out our social media channels. Bucko, who was nearing his 85 pitch limit, was replaced by Bukarz, who walked Steven Malato, loading the bases and bringing slugger DiMeo to the plate. 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. What he's doing now: Gaynor returned to Rutgers as the pitching coach, and he now runs the pitching side of Gains Sports Performance, a baseball and fitness center in Blauvelt, N.Y. His family: He's married to another Rutgers athlete, women's soccer team captain Gina DeMaio, and the couple live in Parsippany with their 1-year-old son, Cameron. Everyone got to play, everyone got to contribute," Casey said, pointing out that Chris Cardone, a utility player whose bat had been ice cold during the tournament, hit two home runs in the championship game against Japan. "I think it's a dream come true for them.". Hes looking forward to the easy camaraderie that the players have always had since that magical time 20 summers ago. 2022 Little League World Series results and highlights. The Intermediate 50/70 league is 13 . Even now, its funny how many times that gets brought up., Steve Strunsky may be reached atsstrunsky@njadvancemedia.com. They will remain in Williamsport, Pa., and are scheduled to play Monday (1 p.m., ESPN) against the loser of the game between teams from Taylor, Mich. and Abilene, Texas, which is slated for Sunday at 1 p.m. We showed that we are the Jersey Boys. The firstfull-team get-together wasa more modest reunion on the championship's 10th anniversary, held at Toms River High School East, where several of them went on to play varsity baseball. After losing 5-2 in their opener versus Hastings, Neb., on Thursday, the Toms River East coaches let the boys hit the pool Friday to release pressure.