[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 15]
[Senate]
[Page 22084]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                             BOYS OF SUMMER

 Mr. TORRICELLI. Mr. President, I rise today in recognition of 
the achievements of the Toms River East Little League baseball team, 
who overcame great odds to return their team to the National Little 
League final for the second year in a row.
  The Toms River squad, known as the ``Beast of the East'', were Little 
League world champions in 1998. This year, they sought to be only the 
second American team ever in the fifty-three year history of the Little 
League World Series to repeat as world champions. Unlike professional 
sports, where champions often repeat using much the same lineup from 
one year to the next, Toms River attempted to repeat as champions using 
almost an entirely new roster, with ten of the twelve players new to 
the team for the 1999 season. Although they fell one game short of 
returning to the Little League World Series, the fact that Toms River 
advanced to the national final in 1999 is an impressive accomplishment 
in its own right.
  In the aftermath of their exciting run last year, I had the 
opportunity to meet many of the players and parents involved with the 
team. I was impressed not only by the skill, poise, and manners with 
which the team conducted itself on and off the field, but also by the 
way that the entire community of Toms River rallied around the team. 
The true character of the squad was demonstrated this year, when even 
in defeat, they displayed the good sportsmanship and class that is a 
hallmark of the Toms River community.
  Truly, these ``boys of summer'' have given us another August to 
remember with their fine play and tremendous love of the game. I am 
proud to recognize the accomplishments and contributions of Steve 
Bernath, Jeff Burgdorff, Eric Campesi, Dave Cappello, Mike Casale, 
Bobby Cummings, Chris Cunningham, Zach Del Vento, Derrick Egan, Chris 
Fontenelli, Casey Gaynor, and RJ Jones and I know they will continue to 
make New Jersey proud for years to come.

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