Play ball!
Thats what theyll be doing in Neptune this week as the 2006 New Jersey Little League State Finals kick off.
The event, which begins July 28 and continues through Aug. 1, will take place at the Fred Boenig Complex on Jumping Brook Road.
It is being hosted by the Neptune Township Little League and New Jersey State District 11.
Each day of the tournament consists of two games; the first game starting at 5:30 p.m., the second game at 7:30 p.m. The competing teams include West Milford, section one; Livingston, section two; South Wall, section three; and Cherry Hill Atlantic, section four.
The games will continue through July 31 with an additional game on Aug. 1 if one team with losses beats the team with no losses.
Were very excited and looking forward to great weather, says Tom Freda, president of Neptune Little League. The weekend is filled with special events, autographs by famous baseball players, great food, amusement rides and of course baseball. We are expecting families from Monmouth County and from all over the state to join us for a weekend of fun!
Every night at the ball field is filled with amusements, crafts, food, souvenirs, and a nightly 50/50. A family fun carnival with rides, raffles and souvenirs runs Friday to Sunday beginning at 2:00pm. The special nightly activities also include a fireworks display, a classic car show, a hot air balloon launch and autograph opportunities with:
Willie Banks, two-time World Series Champion and former New York Yankee
Lenny Webster, World Series Champion and 12 year Major League Catching veteran
Jim Leyritz, the former catcher and infielder that played with the New York Yankees
Negro League Baseball Players:
Stanley Doc Glenn, former catcher and current president of the Negro League Baseball Era
Harold Gould, pitcher
Mahlon Duckett, infielder
Bill Ready Cash, former catcher and member of the Board of Directors for the Negro League Baseball Players Association
The bid to host the state finals is run on a 21 team round robin, so the opportunity to host this event in Neptune will not happen again for a long time.
I am truly excited as we never had this experience before of hosting the finals in Neptune Township, says Tony Richardson, District 11 and New Jersey administrator, I am glad it is us. Let the games begin.
For additional information call 732-682-0364 or 732-610-2158.
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