The Little League 12U baseball Section 3 Tournament in New Jersey is set to begin this Friday, kicking off a series of games that will determine which team ultimately represents the state on the national stage.
Games will be played at the Toms River Little League complex, where the opening matchups pit local powerhouses against each other as they chase a path through the state, regional and World Series brackets.
A Road to Pennsylvania
The tournament’s structure guarantees that the champion will advance to the state tournament in Creskill, Bergen County, before moving on to regional competition in Connecticut and, if successful, the Little League World Series in Pennsylvania.
Most of the participants hail from the Shore area, including Toms River, Freehold Township and North Howell, while additional squads from Clark and Nottingham round out the field.
Friday’s schedule features Game 1 at 6:30 p.m. with Toms River taking on North Howell, followed by Game 2 at the same time where Freehold Township meets Clark.
Saturday’s action continues with Game 3 at 1:30 p.m., a winners‑bracket contest, and Game 4 at 3:30 p.m., which falls in the losers’ bracket.
The following week will see Game 6 at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Game 5 at the same hour, and Game 7 at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, each offering teams a chance to stay alive or clinch a spot in the championship.
The championship game is slated for 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, with a potential rematch scheduled for 6:30 p.m. the following Friday should a second contest be required.
As the tournament unfolds, the excitement extends beyond the diamond, drawing families, coaches and community members who share a common dream of seeing their players earn a spot on the world stage in Pennsylvania.