This is Massapequa's first time going to the Little League World Series in their 72-year history.
Craig Garland, president of Massapequa Coast Little League, spoke with CBS2 before he left for the big game in Bristol. team to advance to the Little League World Series was in 1978 by Rockville Centre Little League, almost 45 years ago," he said, calling the team"hometown heroes."
"As a coach you're trying to stay cool and calm and positive. And these kids, they are loose, they're excited," Massapequa Coast Assistant Coach Brian Bekiers said before the game."I think it's a dream come true for them.""They have the whole town behind them and we just wanna cheer them on," said Paul Mika, president of Toms River East Little League.
Mika and fans boarded a bus on Friday afternoon to support the team in person. There were local celebrations, too. Toms River Council Vice President Matt Lotano said a street in downtown Toms River would be closed for a broadcast of the game. Four teams from Toms River have made it to the Little League World Series in the last 24 years, according to Toms River Mayor Maurice Hill. Hill said, win or lose, the team would return to a celebratory parade.