Casey Gaynor credited his dad with working the 1998 championship team hard, but also keeping in mind that they were kids. MORE:15 sports stars who played in the Little League World Series. 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. He was unbelievable," Mendes said. 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. Hes just rich and famous now, with contracts that have totaled $34 million over his career. He then played soccer at Rowan University, where TREs Tom Gannon also played on the team, and where Joey Franceschini played baseball. 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). Casey Gaynor joined his Little League and Rutgers teammate Todd Frazier in making it to baseballs professional ranks. "I have my first child on the way!" DiMeo crushed a grand slam to center field for a commanding 8-4 lead. Toms River East Little League: Toms River, N.J. Florida: Martin County North Little League: Palm City, Fla. Texas: Wylie Little League: . . . 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. Jenna DeAngelis is an Emmy award winning journalist. There's so many kids involved in this program, and to see the older kids reach such a high level, it's just amazing. MASSAPEQUA, Long Island (WABC) -- Massapequa Coast Little League defeated Toms River East for a spot in the Little League World Series. . The coaches and teammates whove kept in touch say Frazier is thesame as he was 20 years ago, when he loved team pool parties at the Gaynors house. 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. Absolutely, he said. "It was amazing. "Its a great coincidence, Little League Baseball spokesman Brian McClintock said of Frazier's signing with the Mets in February, after this year's classic had been scheduled. After Mascaro struck out the first two batters of the inning, second baseman Anthony Badagliacca reached on a single, before going to second on a wild pitch. How it shaped him:"He was clutch," Fisher said of his old teammate's positive response to pressure, which was contagious. After homering in the Little League World Series, it . Some of our best games were East versus South, for sure, said Fisher, who like all of his fellow players and coaches saw something special in Frazier even in Little League. Toms River, N.J . 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. Click Here. The Toms River East American LL lost five games before reaching the LLWS, losing once each in district, section, and state tournaments and twice in the East Region tournament.[1][2]. His dad, also named Joe Francischini, was a Toms River East Little League coach, and Joey, as the son was often called, coached in town until his daughter was born. 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. I played everybody, we practiced, we worked hard, and I just kept it loose.. I moved things around, and I think it worked, he said. As the final out was record, the disappointment was apparent for the New Jersey champions, with the program looking to send a team to Williamsport, Pennsylvania at the World Series for the second straight year and fifth time overall. We like to say we finished top 20 in the country, a finalist in the region. NJ State Champs. The phenom of the 1998 Toms River East American Little League All-Star Team, Frazier led the team to the . How it shaped him: Playing for Toms River East taught Gardner several life lessons. 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. "These kids, they really came together. The Oaks, Montgomery County-based . Although Lynn's team was quickly eliminated from the . MLB stadiums feature mounds 60 feet, 6 inches away from the plate and the basepaths are 90 feet in length. But Lionetti settled down and got Brady Gillen to strike out looking, before Jayce Capello grounded out to second. 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. 2021 Little League World Series bracket But two really stick out, he wrote. On Aug. 29, 1998, Toms River East beat a team from Kashima, Japan, 12-9. What he's doing now: Toms River East infielder Joey Franceschini still lives in town, now with his wife, Leah, and his young daughter, Sofia, and works as a quality engineer for Johnson & Johnson in Skillman. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. 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. Toms River East found relief and a momentum change after Dominic Roma replaced Frazier and delivered back-to-back strikeouts to end the inning. We keep fighting until the end.. Its helped me with pretty much anything in life. Williamsport, Pa., is about to be filled again with the best Little League teams in the nation. California has won seven titles six from Southern California and one from Northern California. The maximum output recorded for a . You can download a PDF of the full of the full 2021 Little League World Series bracket here. What he's doing now: Officer Tom Gannon is a married father of two who's been with Port Authority Police Department for the past five years, and now patrols Newark Liberty International Airport. FindNJ.com on Facebook. 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. New York was able to take their first game of the regionals in a hard-fought battle with Toms River (NJ). He battled and battled and battled. And then when Todd threw that last pitch, and I went sprinting toward the dog pile, I felt like I was going to take off, he said. Massapequa beat the New Jersey . Joey Lionetti pitched a no-hitter in the 4-0 win. After four seasons pitching for the Scarlet Knights, setting school career marks for starts and innings pitched, Gaynor signed as a free agent with the Cleveland Indians organization and pitched with the Class-A Mahoning Valley Scrappers of the New York Penn League. Representing Texas West, Wylie defeated Colorado 3-0 Monday night to advance to a . After Lionetti delivered a one-out single, Pagano hit a sharp grounder to second. He relished the interaction with Japanese and Saudi Arabian players and the "rich cultural environment" of Williamsport, an out-of-the way former mill town that in the heat of August and friendly competition becomes an international melting pot. What he did after 1998: Franceschini, 32, went on to play for Toms River East High School, which won the baseball state championship his freshman year. Toms River East Little . 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. But Mascaro was able to limit the damage to just one run by striking out the next three batters. 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. Todd Frazier, who now plays for the New York Mets, led off the 1998 Little League World Series final with a home run for Toms River East, then finished the game on the mound by striking out Japan's last batter, in this Youtube video posted in 2015 by Bootsy Spankins. He had not given up a run in 5.1 innings at the region coming into the game. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Toms River Carson Frazier is greeted at plate after hitting a three run homerun. Please enter valid email address to continue. admin commented on Get the Latest News & Alerts from the Toms River Police Department. 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 One reason the win was so widely celebrated was that a U.S. team had not won the series since 1993, and it had been even longer since a Northeastern team were world champions. This is Massapequa's first time going to the Little League World Series in their 72-year history. In the bottom of the fifth, Toms River East came roaring back. Texas Rangers pitcher Lance Lynn was a member of the 1999 Brownsburg, Indiana squad that appeared in that year's Little League World Series. We dont give up. "And Robinson Cano. I just walked out there and told them I loved them and I was proud of them," Mendes said. " Toms River, NJ 08754, [Error Creating Counter File -- Click for more info]. Sixteen of the best U.S. teams will start competing on Aug. 19 for the first Little League World Series action in nearly two years as the 2020 edition was called off due to the coronavirus pandemic. With two runners on base, left fielder Cailen Cimorelli hit an RBI infield single, driving in Dominik Sabatini with the tying run. 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. 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 Little League PO Box 1353, 181 Mapletree Rd Toms River, New Jersey 08754 Phone: 732-244-5005 Email: [email protected] Site Links. Four teams from Toms River have made it to the Little League World Series in the last 24 years, according to Toms River Mayor Maurice Hill. Todd Frazier, the former Rutgers, Yankees and Mets star, led Toms River to the Little League World Series title in 1998. It's an inspiration for the younger kids, inspiration for the whole town," Massapequa resident Bill Martin said. . 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. What he's doing now: Cardone works for the Department of Defense as a civilian mechanical engineer at the Lakehurst Naval Air Station a few miles from his home. Toms River East Little League: Toms River, N.J. Florida: Martin County North Little League: Palm City, Fla. Texas: Wylie Little League: . MORE NEWS | What to know about invasion of spotted lanternfly, * Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts. 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. She joined CBS2 News as a general assignment reporter in March 2018. 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. 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. For the first time since 1975, there will only be American teams competing to win the Little League World Series. Toms River East scored three more runs in the inning, then shut down Connecticut in the top of the sixth to close out the win. That was probably the fastest I ever ran.. What he did after 1998: Though Cardone was a utility player for Toms River East, he hit two home runs in the final game to clinch the series victory, and his subsequent baseball career lasted longer and reached a higher level than those of all but a tiny fraction of adolescents who sleep with their mitt and dream of the major league stardom. Frazier is now a 32-year-old power-hitting third baseman for the New York Mets, who just happens to be pitted against the Philadelphia Phillies Sunday night in the second annual MLB Little League Classic, a regularly scheduled Major League game played during the World Series tournament at a local minor league stadium that is home to the Phils' single-A farm team, the Williamsport Crosscutters. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. Toms River East American Little League. LLBWS History Search by Player; Search by League; Historical Info; Past Results; Complete Records; Championship Game Results . Can believe they did it because it's a no-quit team," resident Debbie O'Fee said. 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. 2020 TomsRiver.org All Rights Reserved. MLB pitchers that face a starter's workload are often rested four to five days, though some pitchers, when called on, will go on shorter rest. Massapequa beats Toms River, advances to Little League World Series, Toms River, Massapequa Little League teams vying for World Series spot. Philipp LaGrossa scooped it, flipped the ball to shortstop Jayce Cappello who completed the double play to end the inning. "It should be great reunion.. Leave your best wishes for the team I know they are going to remember this forever. By . Casey's older brother, Colin, played with Todd Frazier's older brother on a 1995 Toms River East team also managed by Mike Gaynor, which was the first of three Little League teams Gaynor led to the World Series tournament in a span of five years. Hector Berlioz, Franz Liszt, Richard Wagner, Anton Bruckner, and Richard Strauss are just a few of the composers who might be cited as examples. And most have kept in touch over the years, through high school and college, varied careers, and budding families, sharing a unique bond they forged through an exceptionally rare and triumphal experience at a critical time in their young lives. This will be Toms River's fifth appearance at the Little League World Series. 2022 Little League World Series results and highlights. After earning his doctorate at the University of St. Augustine in Florida, Campesi landed a job in Virginia six years ago, and has loved the area ever since. Toms River East Little League still has a lifeline to get to the 2021 Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. 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. Then Bekiers, the leadoff hitter, stroked an opposite-field single down the leftfield line, scoring Badagliacca from second. With no international teams this year, an American team will be named champion for the third straight edition. Updated on: August 12, 2022 / 11:24 PM They fought hard.". Toms River East is scheduled to play New York representative Massapequa Little League on Saturday. The title game was punctuated by a standout performance by future MLB Home Run Derby champion Todd Frazier, who went 4-for-4 with a lead-off home run, and was also the winning pitcher. We just knew by their demeanor today, they were ready and hungry. The next closest is Japan, which has won nine. It aint over til the Jerseys Boys sing. Even now, its funny how many times that gets brought up., Steve Strunsky may be reached atsstrunsky@njadvancemedia.com. The logo for the 2022 Little League Baseball World Series. The Little League World Series 2021 is planned for Aug. 19-29 in Williamsport, Pa. Games remain to be played this weekend to determine the Midwest Regional winner that will go to the World Series . the name of Franz Anton Hoffmeister was added to the roster.9 Of particular interest . They werent nervous. I work on a shipboard network system that manages all aircraft launch and recovery data on aircraft carriers, he said. Toms River East defeats Hillsdale 8-4 in the 2021 NJ Little League State Tournament Championship. By the way don't expect this to be a one-year thing. Edward Sutelan is a content producer at The Sporting News. Toms River Easts defense had been excellent throughout the tournament, and that continued the first time they took the field. Little League World Series Hero Todd Frazier's Advice for Jackson, N.J. New Yankee Todd Frazier among plethora of MLB Little League alumni | Lucas, New Jersey's run at the Little League World Series ends with loss to New England, New Yankee Todd Frazier: From Little League to major leagues (PHOTOS), Two Holbrook little league execs accused of pocketing $118K in team funds. 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. 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. Team correspondence & tax-free donations go to: I remember when I was 12 and played in Bristol. 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. He then went on to Rowan University, where he no longer played baseball, but played on the soccer team. Almost a quarter-century later, Frazier's nephew Carson is trying to do . YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. They were just so happy, excited and ready to go, Mika said. "He was great.". Regardless of the loss today, we made it to the Metro Region final. The 1998 Little League World Series took place from August 2329 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. 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. He also made sure that all 12 players on the roster got up at least once and played at least a couple of innings in the field, every game. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. The team leaves for Bristol, Connecticut, on Friday morning, Toms River East league officials said. We knew we were going to get to this pitcher. Both teams are making their communities proud. What he's doing now: Dr. Eric Campesi has remained in sports, but as a doctor of physical therapy, or DPT, with a practice in Arlington, Virginia, across the Potomac from Washington, D.C., where he specializes in sports medicine and orthopedics. For current Toms River East standout Carson Frazier, he wanted to follow in . In all, Macchia gave up seven hits before leaving. The Hirakata LL reached the LLWS with an undefeated record of four wins and no losses. Toms River Little League PO Box 1353, 181 Mapletree Rd Toms River, New Jersey 08754 Phone: 732-244-5005 Email: [email protected] Site Links. Macchia reached his pitch total and Tyler Tedero came on in relieve, with a single by Liam St. George scoring their fourth run. Philipp played for Toms River East, New Jersey state champions in 2022. 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 Little League World Series will be back in Williamsport, Pa., with the games split between Howard J. Lamade Stadium and Little League Volunteer Stadium. Whenever we were put in a situation, whether it was pressure or down or whatever, we had trust in ourselves that we could do it, Gaynor said. I had a lot of fun doing that, he said of his triple role as player, manager and GM. Massapequa loaded the bases with no outs, as Mikey Castellano and Ryan Huksloot singleg to open the frame, before Clark laid down a sacrifice bunt that catcher Ryan McHugh fired to third trying to get the lead runner, but the throw was not in time. Toms River Little League PO Box 1353, 181 Mapletree Rd Toms River, New Jersey 08754 Phone: 732-244-5005 Email: [email protected] Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. I belong on this field.. US South Wins Out 3-2 in US Championship : Japan Wins World Series The boys put it all together and exploded, said Mika, who for the first time all summer, changed up the batting order. 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. Toms River East American Little League Toms River, New Jersey. Michael Mendes led the game off by getting hit by a pitch, advancing to second on a wild pitch. N.J. Little League Baseball team Toms River East advanced to the 2022 Metro Region championship game on Wednesday night. He finished his career with 2,705 hits, hitting over .300 in eight different . Craig Garland, president of Massapequa Coast Little League, spoke with CBS2 before he left for the big game in Bristol. 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. Go out, relax and hit the ball. Castellano then scored on a throwing error by Mascaro on a grounder. Here's a look at the sets of teams from the U.S. that will be vying for the 2021 Little League World Series title. 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. Staff: Manager Mike Mendes, Coaches Ed Todaro and George Gallagher. Then Lionetti got Macchia, who belted a two-run homer in the first inning of Wednesdays win, to strike out on a high fastball to end the threat.