Today was a time of joyous celebration back in 1998, as a little league team put the township on the map.

On August 29, 1998, the Toms River Little League baseball team won the 52^nd Little League World Series.  Three other states represented the United States in the games:  California, North Carolina, and Michigan.  Four other countries – Saudi Arabia, Japan, Mexico, and Canada - also competed. 

The World Series ran from August 23-29 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. On August 27, Toms River beat Greenville, North Carolina 5-2 in the semi-finals.

In the final game two days later, Toms River defeated the Japanese team hailing from Kashima, Ibaraki.  The final score was 12-9. 

This win resulted in world fame and international headlines for Toms River; the team members also made appearances on several talk shows.   

Part of Route 37 was renamed Little League World Champions Boulevard in honor of their victory.

We still like to brag we're the home of the Little League World Champions, but it happened on this day in Toms River's history: Aug. 29, 1998.