Success & Sadness

Kevin Blum might be a Little League legend by the time the Mid Atlantic Regional Tournament concludes in Bristol, Connecticut. Blum you might recall homered in all four of his at-bats during a rout of the District of Columbia Monday morning and the Toms River National centerfielder
was right back at it last night when the New Jersey state champions played Stony Point, New York. The 12-year old homered in his first two at-bats
to help power Toms River to a 5-2 victory as they clinch a spot in Friday’s semifinal round. That made it six straight home runs for Blum, who went
3-3 with three runs scored in last night’s win. The power-hitters from Mapletree Road also got homers from winning pitcher Jeff Ciervo and Billy Lumi in the win over New York, who finishes pool play with a 3-1 record.
Toms River National will play winless Delaware tonight but no matter what has secured a spot in Friday’s semifinals along with undefeated Pennsylvania, New York and Maryland.

Twelve years ago Charlie and Joan Frazier were following the fortunes of their son Todd and the rest of the Toms River East American All-Stars as they competed in Bristol. Of course that team would go on to win the Little League World Series. Charlie and Joan are still following their baseball-playing sons and were in Detroit last night where Jeff is playing for the Tigers, although he did not see action in a loss to Tampa Bay. Today they’ll catch the Tigers in the afternoon and then drive to Toledo where youngest son Todd will be playing for the Louisville Bats in a Triple-A game. Little League days must seem like a long time ago.

When Steve Neuse died unexpectedly on February 1, 2008 Joe Gomulka knew he had to so something to perpetuate the memory of his close friend.
The two started their lifeguard careers as students in Seaside Heights and worked side-by-side as officers in Seaside Park….Gomulka as captain and Neuse as his lieutenant. Two and a half years later family and friends gathered on the North Avenue beach in Seaside Park last night to dedicate a first aid station in Neuse’s memory. Station 34 pays tribute to the number he wore as a football player at Jackson Memorial and will include pictures of the former lifeguard, teacher and friend to many.