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It’s the second team in borough history to go that far.
“In 2010, we won the states,” said coach Billy Kanwisher, who coached both teams past the sectionals.
Kanwisher’s son Drew was on the team of 10-year-olds in 2010. His son Brooks is on this year’s team of 11-year-olds.
The games start Saturday in Middlesex County with Ramsey playing Holbrook first. Next up: Millville plays Livingston.
After that, the two winners play.
The state championships, which end Wednesday, are a double elimination tournament.
The Ramsey players practiced Monday and Tuesday night in Finch Park. They were cool and calm, taking their lead from their three coaches – Kanwisher and assistant coaches Art Manzo and Oren Bibergal.
“Our philosophy is that we don’t want them to be nervous,” Manzo said. “Everything is confidence. If they’re confident, they’re good enough to win.
“It’s more of a mental approach than it is physical,” he added. “They have the ability. Now they just have to believe and not make themselves nuts.”
The secret to a successful team, Kanwisher said, is getting the players at a young age and playing as much baseball as possible with them.
“You want to play and lose some games against tougher teams,” he said, adding that the players and their families miss out on a lot of summer fun to play.
Only one player, Anthony, dared to utter a prediction on an outcome in the days ahead.
“We’re gonna win,” he said, grinning from ear to ear.
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