The Challenges of Little League

Today is the final day of July, which for some like me is a stark reminder that summer in already winding down. 

I know the calendar says we have another 52 days of what is officially summer, but Labor Day weekend is only a month away and I just know these next four weeks are going to fly by.  We’re seeing daily reminders that it’s almost over from back-to-school messages, end-of-season bathing suit sales and my least favorite…the shorter day.  Sunrise today was 5:54 and sunset is 8:11 which means 14 hours and 17 minutes of daylight.

A month from today, sunrise will be at 6:23 and sunset will be 7:31, which will result in 69 minutes less of light.  Look, I know we still have the month of August, but I can’t get away from the fact that as I get older summers clearly go faster.

The Toms River Little League All Stars left for Bristol, Connecticut, this morning to compete in the Mid-Atlantic Regional.  With some 300 Little League teams in New Jersey, winning the state title is not really something you plan for, and while it’s an exciting time for the players and their families, it does present unexpected challenges.

All of a sudden the families of the 13 players have to figure out how to juggle schedules, jobs and finances for what could be more than a week in Connecticut.  The money part can be a hardship, so Nino’s Coal Fired Pizza is hosting a fundraiser through Friday at their locations in Toms River, Brick and Oakhurst.

Nino’s will donate 50% of your check to the Toms River Little League so they can assist families.

Meanwhile the league has also set up a fundraiser through GoFundMe that you can access through their website, www.trll.us

In their first season in the Jersey Mike’s Jersey Shore Summer Basketball League, Horn Law Group has reached tonight’s championship game, where they will face Stern’s Trailer after both teams won their semifinal games Wednesday.

Toms River attorney Jeff Horn decided to sponsor a team when he read the league was in need of two more franchises and the move has paid off with a spot in tonight’s game at Wall High School, which tips off at 7:30.

I was saddened to hear yesterday about the death of former Seaside Heights Mayor Ken Hershey.  Hershey served five terms as mayor and before that was a councilman in the town he was born in, worked in, lived in and loved for all 84 years of his life.