60 Years of Little League History!!

It all started in 1965...

The Freehold Township Little League (FTLL) opened it's inaugural season on the first Sunday of May in 1965. The season opened with a parade that was organized at the Shop Rite parking lot and continued down Willowbrook Road to the leagues' original home at 3M Field.

The ground was leveled and grass just started to take root on the only field that was created at 3M in 1965. The backstop was constructed out of chicken wire held in place by four telephone poles. A snow fence served as the home run wall at a friendly distance of 185'. All four bases were tied down and the players sat on benches behind wire screens which served as the dugouts. A snack bar was built behind the left field fence.

There were four teams during the leagues' inaugural season - the Cardinals, Cubs, Dodgers and Mets. The season was divided into two halves to create more interest. The first games were played on the day of the parade. In 1965, Sunday games could not count in the standings! So the first two games were simply exhibition games.

The league was created and organized by volunteers, with all of the teams being sponsored by local merchants. No fees were charged to players who were outfitted with Major League replica uniforms containing sewn on letters and numbers.

There were many volunteers who helped to make this possible in 1965. Some of those who were instrumental in creating the league were Morton Brach, Sr., Bill Weber (the second 3M field was named after him), Jim Carney, Bob Ruplash, Ralph Nelson, Sr., Bernie Guinter, and Fred Barth (who built the original snack bar in one weekend).

The tradition continues...

In 2024, the FTLL celebrates it's 60th season with a continued commitment to excellence and sportsmanship for the community. Members of the Townships youth, ranging in age from 5 through 16, take the field on teams playing in 6 baseball and 5 softball divisions. In addition, the FTLL is proud to support our very own Challenger division which celebrated their 25th anniversary in 2017 and were chosen to participate in the Challenger Exhibition game in Williamsport.

The Township's outstanding Michael J. Tighe facility is home to the FTLL.

In 2004, Freehold Twp. captured the Senior League World Championship, becoming only the fourth team in New Jersey history to win a Little League World Championship at any level!

In 2005, our Junior and Senior teams both won their respective Regionals and advanced to the World Series.

In 2007 our Seniors advanced to the World Series marking our 3rd visit to Bangor, Maine in 4 years.

In 2010 our Juniors advanced to the World Series marking our 2nd visit to Taylor, Michigan.

In 2011 our Senior's captured the NJ State Title.

In 2016 our Little League 11-12's won the NJ State Title advancing to the Eastern Regional in Bristol, CT.

In 2017 our Intermediate team won the U.S. Championship in Livermore, CA in our inaugural year of Intermediate play and our Junior Girls were the State runner-up in softball.

FTLL will host the NJ Majors Baseball State Tournament in July, 2024!

The success of the league is the result of the countless hours and dedication by the volunteer board members, managers, coaches, parents, children and the support of Township officials, who all take an active role in making the league a success.

All teams are sponsored by local merchants and community members whose generosity supports the purchase of uniforms and league related expenses. Please support our sponsors!  We have additional sponsor opportunities as we look to provide scholarship for those in need and amenities for the fields. Please send us a note if you can help.

If you would like more information about the Freehold Township Little League or would like to volunteer to help, please send us an email to [email protected]