Berkeley to Host State Championships

For 75 years, Little League has provided communities around the world the opportunity for families to connect and for children to come together in a healthy, safe environment to learn the values of team sports and the fundamentals of baseball and softball. Berkeley Little League is proud to be able to provide this opportunity to our community.

For the first time in 20 years, the eyes of sports fans everywhere will be focused on Ocean County as Berkeley Little League will be the host site for the NJ State Championships in the Little League and Junior League Divisions. Having produced two true World Champions, Lakewood LL in 1975 and Toms River East American LL in 1998, Ocean County has a great, long history of Little League baseball. In 2013, D18 Little Leagues won five of the six possible sectional championships and played for the state titles in each division, with Manchester Little League winning the NJ State Junior League Division Championship. As perennial contenders, the local leagues of Ocean County’s District 18 hope to use the promise of the home field advantage to make another thrilling run through the Little League International Tournament.

Bob Everett, President of Berkeley Little League said “Our league is very excited to be hosting this once in a lifetime event. Berkeley Little League, through the dedicated work of hundreds of volunteers, has come a long way. We could not be prouder to be selected as the host site. We cannot wait to see the very best baseball in New Jersey this summer.”

As our area has continued in its struggle to recover from Super Storm Sandy, D18 Little Leagues have decided to use this once in a generation event to help promote our shore area and give our residents something positive to look forward to. To encourage folks to come back to the shore and pay us a visit, we plan to combine our hosting of the NJ State Championships with Little League’s Diamond Anniversary Celebration.

The Summer of 2014 in Ocean County will feature the Best Beaches, Boardwalks and Baseball in all of NJ. Sponsors have been quickly lining up to help support this exciting event. TD Bank, Perlmart ShopRites, The Cove Waterfront Grille, and the Hershey Motel along with media partners the Asbury Park Press, Townsquare Media’s Shore Sports Network, the Seaside Heights BID and the Ocean County Tourism Advisory Council have signed on to help promote and cover the championship series.

“Ocean County and Berkeley Township have some wonderful natural attractions that make our town a perfect host site. We are centrally located and our partnership with our Little League has produced one of the very best Baseball Complexes in New Jersey” added Mayor Carmen Amato. “Our township will be giving this event it’s full support.”

Championship Week will begin Tuesday, July 22nd  with the Banquet of Champions recognizing the 4 NJ Sectional Champions in the Little League Division. Opening Ceremonies will be on Wednesday, July 23rd when all 8 NJ Section Champs, 4 in the Little League Division and 4 from the Junior League Division, start playing the double elimination tournament. Thursday, July 24th is a scheduled Rain Date with several planned community events, a team BBQ for the Junior League champions, and a Little League 75th Anniversary Celebration at the Cove Waterfront Grille in the evening. It is back to baseball Friday July 24th, as 2 double headers will eliminate the first two teams. Saturday is dedicated for the beach and boardwalk as early semi final games will provide plenty of time for the players, families and fans to visit Seaside Heights to take advantage of very special Little League promotions. Unless the teams that advanced in the loser brackets pull off upsets to force the do or die IF games on Monday,  Sunday July 27th  will feature the crowning of two new State Champions.

“We are working on several more great additions to this week long celebration. As soon as plans are finalized, we will be releasing more information,” said Bob Everett. “Folks can go to the Shore Sports Network at shoresportsnetwork.com or our website for updated information. Stay tuned for more great news coming soon.”

Those interested in being a part of the championships may go to berkeleylittleleague.org or email BerkeleyLL@comcast.net for sponsorship information.

What: Little League 75th Anniversary & NJ State Championships

When: July 22-28, 2014

Where: Ocean County & Berkeley Little League, Bayville NJ

Who: The best baseball teams in NJ, their friends, families & fans.