Sports

Two River Little League Registers Kids

New league includes 9- to 16-year-olds from Rumson, Fair Haven in an east division.


Registration for the new Two River Little League, which includes Red Bank and Shrewsbury, will begin on Jan. 1.

After meeting last week, organizers of the new league, which is considered a charter that is part of Little League International, decided that children ages 5 to 8 will continue to play with their own towns' recreational leagues in what is the existing Peninsula League.

However, those from Fair Haven, Rumson, Red Bank, Shrewsbury and Little Silver in the 9- to 16-year-old age bracket who wish to play baseball or softball on the  Two River Little League can join through Feb. 1. Parents should register kids through their respective towns' recreation department via municipal websites, where forms can be accessed.

The league will be divided into two divisions: east, comprising Rumson and Fair Haven; and west, comprising Little Silver, Red Bank and Shrewsbury.

The current playing venues will be used within each town, but the founders also envision special events such as Friday night “Games of the Week” under the lights at Count Basie field and tournament play. 

The teams will be financed in part by players’ dues and support from each town’s recreation program.

"We believe this new league brings many joint benefits to our five towns," Two River Little League President Chris Kelly said in a release. "While our individual towns all ran their own recreational programs, we wanted to bring the structure and organization of Little League International to our hometowns and to give our kids the excitement and aspiration to one day play in the Little League World Series.”

The new league will allow its participants to play with neighboring Little League chapters such as Eatontown, Middletown, Tinton Falls and West Long Branch and give more girls a chance to play softball as many towns do not have their own teams.

The Two River Little League will join District 19 within New Jersey Little League Division Three; and its board of directors will be comprised of 10 representatives, or two from each town. They are as follows:  

    •    Chris Kelly Shrewsbury, president,
    •    Brendan Gilmartin, Shrewsbury
    •    Rafe Fernandez, Fair Haven, vice president
    •    Anthony Mazzucca, Fair Haven
    •    Rick Brandt, Little Silver, sectretary
    •    Doug Glassmacher, Little Silver
    •    Memone P. Crystian, Red Bank, vice president-softball
    •    Mike Ballard, Red Bank, treasurer
    •    John Caruso, Rumson
    •    Bob Oakes, Rumson

The league is also looking for volunteer coaches and anyone interested should contact Chris Kelly at candckelly@comcast.net or phone 732-768-6543.


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