Rutherford Little League History: 2002

Officers

• Walt Mager, President
• Bob Simone, A.L. Vice President
• Jeff Cassella, N.L. Vice President
• Mark Dolaghan, Minor/Tee Ball Vice President
• Sharon McCallum, Secretary
• Joe Zurla, Treasurer
• Charlie O’Reilly, Player Agent

Major League Managers

• American League
  • DiNoto Fuel Oil: Kevin McAuley
  • Elks: Steve Smith
  • Flash Cleaners: Tom Bloomer
  • Keller-Depken Oil: Jeff Cassella
  • Lions: Jim Gardella
  • Tancredi Plumbing: Mike Gaffney
• National League
  • Boiling Springs Savings: Dan Mariano
  • Fire Department: Bob Simone
  • Inline Skating: Tony Serrao
  • Kiwanis: Tom McCallum
  • Kurgan-Bergen Realtors: Pete Schiro
  • P.B.A. Local 300: Jack Dunn

Flash Cleaners becomes the second team in two seasons to win the town championship without winning its league championship. The club is the first to finish third in its league and rally to capture the town title. The surprising playoff result caps a season in which five of the six playoff teams had not appeared in the playoffs the year before.

For the second time in three years, Rutherford holds the crown in both the 12- and 10-year-old tournaments in District 5. The American League survives a final-round loss in the double-elimination tournament and defeats Lyndhurst American in the 12-year-old championship game, while the National League rallies from a second-game loss to win seven straight, including successive victories over Wood-Ridge/Moonachie, to earn the 10-year-old banner. The National 10s go on to capture the section crown and win one game in the state finals at Lodi. Capping off the League’s successes, the 8-year-old tournament team captures the Lyndhurst tourney title.