Madison Little League Majors (12u) 2020 All-Stars Bring Home Back-to-Back Sectional Titles, Cement Legacy as the Winningest Dynasty in MLL History

Very few Little Leaguers can claim to be State Champions, but a handful of boys from Madison are in that exclusive club, giving them trophies, accolades and stories to tell their grandkids. As this group of 12-year-olds leaves the "small diamond" behind, they do so as the winningest dynasty in Madison Little League history, with a total of six championships on their resume: three District titles (as 10, 11 and 12-year-olds), two Sectional titles (11 and 12-year-olds) and a State Championship (11-year-olds).

As an unusual but enjoyable "regular" Little League season drew to a close in Madison, the 2020 Majors All-Star team was selected and began their quest for a third District title. Although there were fewer teams than in previous years, Madison still needed to face familiar and formidable District 1 opponents. It seems the boys picked up right where they left off last summer, taking first place after rolling through Pool Play with a 5-0 record.

On August 17, Madison defeated Randolph in the first round of the four-team District 1 double-elimination tournament. Subsequent victories on August 19 and 21 against Morristown American and Par-Troy West completed the three-peat, and this Madison team secured their third District title in as many years.

The Section 1 double-elimination tournament began on September 12, hosted at Dotterweich Field in Wayne. In their first game, Madison found themselves behind in the bottom of the final inning against the District 4 champions from Glen Rock. Mustering some baserunners, Madison tied it up and then struck gold with a dramatic walk-off grand slam, securing a 7-3 victory.

September 14 saw Madison take on District 2 champions Pompton Lakes/Riverdale. Madison came out swinging and never looked back, cruising to a decisive 23-4 win. The following day, PLR defeated Glen Rock in the consolation bracket, setting up a rematch with Madison.

On September 16, Madison sought to avenge their 2018 Sectional title loss as 10-year-olds to Pompton Lakes/Riverdale. This is a much-matured Madison team and it showed with quality pitching, timely and powerful hitting, smart baserunning and clean defense. A 4-run second inning got the train rolling for Madison and they rode it to an 8-2 victory.

The NJ Little League State Championship single-elimination tournament began on September 26 at Holbrook LL in Jackson. Madison faced the District 6 champions from Englewood Cliffs. A back-and-forth affair in the early innings ultimately saw Englewood Cliffs come out on top 7-5, helped by a 4-run fourth inning that broke open a 3-3 tie. Although disappointed from their semifinal loss, the Madison boys brought their bats and hammered their way to a 11-8 victory in the consolation game versus District 16 Somers Point on September 27, securing a 3rd-place finish and sealing their Madison Little League legacy.

This history-making team was honored in a ceremony on November 7 with a permanent plaque mounted at Rosedale Field, recognizing their record setting Little League performance and commemorating their 2019 state championship.