It was 17 summers ago that a Toms River East American Little League team led by then 12-year old Todd Frazier won the Little League World Series.

Kevin with Todd Frazier
Kevin with Todd Frazier (Townsquare Media NJ)
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It was the highlight of an amazing five-year run that saw manager Mike Gaynor take three All-Star teams from the Toms River East Little League all the way to Williamsport, Pennsylvania. What often helped them was the tough competition they received right in their own backyard during the District 18 Tournament which began in late June among the 12 little leagues in Ocean County.

Frazier, of course, is now a star with the Cincinnati Reds and much has changed since he was freckle-faced pre-teen but one constant has been the incredible success Ocean County teams have had when it comes to Little League baseball.

While Toms River East (Windsor Avenue) dominated the 90’s it was the other little league organization which took over after that as the Toms River Little League on Mapletree Road produced New Jersey State champions in 2005, 2010 and again last summer when the group of boys and girl hoisted the championship banner in Berkeley Township which hosted the state tournament.

I mention all of this because Ocean County and District 18 has produced another champion as Monday night in Hammonton it was time for the Jackson Little League to win their first-ever state tournament and they did so in dramatic fashion. Tommy Cartnick, who won the home run derby last week, led off the bottom of the 6th inning with a game-winning, walk off homer as Jackson topped Somerset Hills 7-6.

The victory sends Jackson to the Mid-Atlantic Regional Tournament in Bristol, Connecticut next week where they will likely be considered one of the favorites among teams from New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and Washington DC. While it will be a new experience for Jackson and manager Evan Glaser he can call Pete Avallone, Paul Deceglie, Dr. Paul DeMartino and even Gaynor himself who all know what it’s like to be in his position.

They have made the trip to Bristol which involves trying to juggle baseball, family and job, not always an easy task. Of course it’s what you hope for when it all begins in June.

Besides Jackson and teams from both the Toms River and Toms River East Little Leagues the only other District 18 teams to win the state tournament were Brick American in 1990 and Lakewood in 1975 who would go on to win the Little League World Series.

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