Little League World Series Excitement Hits Toms River

TOMS RIVER, N.J. (CBS 2) -- When the Toms River National All-Stars recorded the final out last night against Council Rock-Newtown, it was no longer a dream.

The team is Little League World Series bound and excitement over the team's advance began to take hold in the township Tuesday.

"Very, very proud of the guys," resident Rosemary Morehouse said, "they worked hard and they deserve it."

Resident Anthony Iozzia says he would be enthused over any team from New Jersey making the World Series, but says he is "that much more excited" because it's his hometown team.

This accomplishment is nothing new for the area. In 1998, the Toms River East team won the Little League World Series and a sign honoring their victory currently greets visitors who enter the township, CBS 2's Mark Morgan reports.

A road was also renamed "Little League World Champions Boulevard" in honor of the 1998 team.

Morgan also spoke with Toms River mayor Tom Kelaher and asked if a similar honor would be bestowed on this year's squad if they returned as champions.

"We'll have to do something like that, we can't discriminate against them, Kelaher said," "we'll do something equally as impressive I'm sure."

Resident David Museliani told Morgan that the team's success has him pondering the future.

"As a father...I'm looking forward to maybe...my son playing there one day," Museliani said.

Toms River will play its first game in Williamsport, Pa. on Saturday against a team from Hamilton, Ohio.