Nutley Little Leaguers Make World Series Bid; Eli Says 'Congrats'

NUTLEY, NJ — They’re more than just teammates… they’re friends.

A group of 7th grade baseball players who attend Walker Middle School in Nutley are making waves on their way to the Little League Intermediate Team World Series. They’ll go to San Francisco for the tourney on Friday, and play their first game Sunday night, CBS New York reported.

Players in the intermediate division are 13-and-under. The team will take on the state champs from Alabama in their first game.

After capturing the New Jersey state championship, the team got a video congratulations from NFL star Eli Manning. (Story continues below)

“They’re over the moon,” coach Peter Breihof told The Observer Online. “They’re the first team from Nutley to ever win a state championship (in Little League). The best thing about it is that they’re all friends.”

As part of a program dubbed “Swing and Swim,” the kids will come to Breihof’s backyard, where he’s set up a batting cage. After taking their cuts, the teammates will go for a swim in the pool, he told the Observer.

A viewing party for the team’s Sunday game will take place at the Nutley Parks and Recreation Department at 44 Park Avenue in Nutley. Doors open at 8 p.m. (Learn more about this local event)

Don’t forget to visit the Patch Belleville-Nutley Facebook page. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com