'Bayonne vs. Everybody.' Residents travel to CT with Little League World Series berth on the line
Bayonne sent three charter buses with 150 fans and league staff to represent Hudson County on the road.
Bayonne Little League is known as “The Fighting Bees.” But this year, a new slogan came to define Bayonne Little League - "Bayonne vs. Everybody."
“We’re just ready to take on the world," said Mayor Sharon Nadrowski.
“People think of us as a small town in Hudson County, no respect," said Bayonne Little League President Roger Malone. "We always feel like we’re the underdog. That’s kind of where that came from.”
The 12-and-under team won the state title over Blackwood last week, and has since beaten New York and Connecticut by a combined score of 20-4 in the Metro regional round. Bayonne must beat Darien again Friday - in Connecticut - to advance to the World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
“That’s their home field," Malone said. "Their fans have been very, very good supporting them. They’ve had a good turnout.”
So, Bayonne put out the call to bring their own cheering section north. They filled three charter buses with 150 fans and league staff to represent Hudson County on the road.
Bayonne won its first state championship this season, and this would be their first appearance in the Little League World Series. The league president is impressed with how the boys have handled their newfound fame.
“It’s interesting," Malone said. "They’re kids. They are being treated like rock stars. It’s been awesome. They’re handling it very well. They’re very focused on tonight’s game.”
The game is at 7 p.m. in Bristol, Connecticut and televised nationally on ESPN.
