Under a threatening sky at Memorial Field on Saturday, June 21, the Blue Jays, coached by Mike Wilson, defeated the As, coached by James Robinson, by a score of 3-1 to win the first Al Leiter Little League Major League Championship.

The Blue Jays took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the first inning on a double by Kevin Silva that scored Alex LoRusso, who was on first base following a single. The As tied the score in the top of the second inning when Tyler Collins scored on a single by Eric Seaman off pitcher Brian Van Cott.

James Cifuni scored the eventual winning run in the home half of the third inning when Brandon Stahl singled off pitcher Jake Robinson. The Blue Jays added another run in the bottom of the fifth inning off pitcher Jared Frydman, when Cody Wilson singled home Kevin Silva, who led off the inning with a double.

Matt Capozzo pitched three scoreless innings for the Blue Jays to earn the victory. Ed Demaria came in to pitch the last inning and was credited with the save.

The Blue Jays started the regular season with a 5-0 record and eventually finished in first place overall with a record of 8-3.

Despite the rainy weather that plagued May and June, the inaugural season for the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Al Leiter Little League was characterized by competitive, well-played games. The future of local Little League baseball, as opposed to the weather this spring, looks bright.