Howell North Little League Picked to Host 9/10 Year Old State Tournament

With the Little League season winding down, the time has come to get ready for the various all-star tournaments that are a staple of the summer.

The North Howell Little League recently learned that it will host the top 9-and-10-year-old teams from around the state in the championship rounds next month.

That means the final four 10-year-old squads from around New Jersey will be coming to the Okerson Road complex between July 21 and July 27. According to a release from the league there were several factors that brought them this distinction, including the quality of the complex.

"Howell is a great location, and the folks at North Howell Little League have worked very hard to turn their location into one of the finest complexes in the entire state," said Tony Richardson, the New Jersey State Director and District 11 administrator.

With more than 450 children in the league playing more than 800 games, Richardson said it was clear that it was a special place for the championships to be held.

"The board of directors is very committed to the kids and families in their program and we felt they were very deserving," he said. 

Mauro Raccuglia, the president of the league, said it was an honor to be picked to host this tournament.

"This opportunity is available to a league in our district only once every 21 years and there are 15 leagues within our district," he said. "We have worked very hard in partnership with the township to create a beautiful complex and we are pleased that the hard work has paid off and has been recognized by the state director."

The impending arrival of the tournament has not been lost on the administrators of the township either as Mayor Robert Walsh congratulated the league on this accomplishment at Town Council meeting this week.

This is also not the first time the league has hosted a big-time tournament. Three years ago Howell North hosted the sectional Little League tournament which brought hundreds of fans to the games. With all the teams centered in the Garden State, it is believed the crowds could be even bigger.

 "This is a great opportunity for businesses in and around Howell Township to showcase themselves to teams and hundreds of spectators from other parts of the state," said Gene Picone, the league's sponsor coordinator and a member of the board of directors.

Picone said he is hoping for a big community involvement when the tournament arrives. "As a non-profit organization, we count on sponsorships to offset our expenses," he said. "We are very hopeful to get a good response from local businesses to this prestigious event."

In addition to the baseball aspect, there will also be a banquet held for the final four teams at the Howell Point Swim Club on July 20.

"Along with dinner, guest speakers and the usual program events you will find at these functions, the boys (and their families) will be able to swim, play games, socialize and get to know each other in the unique way that this type of setting offers," Raccuglia said. 

For more information on sponsorship opportunities email Gene Picone at picone0158@optonline.net.

If you are interested in volunteering send an email to Keith Carroll at kmcarroll@optoline.net.