Willie, Mickey, and the Duke

Baseball was king in New York. The New York Yankees won their third consecutive World Series over the Brooklyn Dodgers. The year prior, Bobby Thompson of the New York Giants broke the Dodgers’ heart with “The Shot Heard Round the World”. Willie Mays, Jackie Robinson, Duke Snyder, Mickey Mantle, and Yogi Berra were some of the stars in their prime.

Little League Baseball was started in Williamsport PA in 1939. It spread slowly through the 1940s. It didn’t leave Pa until 1947, but by the early 1950s, it exploded. There were over 400 Little Leagues in 48 states. In 1952, the South Monmouth News invited Sea Girters to participate.

The Twin Boro league announced their first opening day.

“A splendid undertaking for youngsters of all denominations in this area is gaining momentum in this area we are glad to report. It’s the “Little League” idea and it will start with baseball for kids from 6-16. It will also include action for older youngsters wishing to take action in organized athletics.

The Little League idea was started here last summer by the county Holy Name Society but this summer it will be open to all lads. Toward this end a meeting be held on February 12 in Spring Lake borough hall to which parents and youngsters are invited. Present at the recent session at St. Margaret's were representatives from the Spring Lake Police Department (let's get down to the next one, Chief Gus Quenzer; you're a real champion of kids in my book), St. Catherine's Holy Name Society, St. Andrew's Methodist Church, Goodwill Fire Company (always the kids' friend), Spring Lake American Legion Post and the Heights Youth Association. This daydream, which little youngsters have now, is now being shared by both them and their parents elsewhere. It could and should certainly happen here if you'll help.”

Spring Lake and Spring Lake Heights together to make the Twin Boro Little League in 1952. The Sea Girt boys were playing in Manasquan. There was a rumor that Edgemere Park would be turned into a proper baseball field.

Sponsors were readily available to sponsor the leagues and the season started with a parade. The Baseball Queens, Little girls in dresses also paraded to root for their brothers. Up to 1,200 people came out to watch the local all-stars compete.

The next season 1953, the Little League World Series was broadcast on the radio, covered by ABC and Howard Cosell did the play-by-play. Howard would become one of the prime voices of ABC TV Sports from the 1950s to the 1980s. Little League scores were regularly in the newspapers.

At the beachfront in Sea Girt, nearly every summer evening, the cars lined up and the teens and adult men played softball as they had been since Morro Castle lifeguards organized the first games in 1934. The three surviving guards were now on the borough council and showed up often to watch the games, as did Mayor Driscoll who lived at 3 Brooklyn, and who played baseball at Dartmouth. Most games were between local teams, but Manasquan, Belmar, and Spring Lake had sand softball teams and in the late 1940s newspapers reported some of the outcomes. Sea Girt’s best team was embarrassingly called the “Crimson Coolies” for a time. Perhaps it was a reference to their red lifeguard shorts and a dig at the low pay of lifeguards. Belmar’s guards had threatened a strike in 1951 as they were well below the other towns. A guard earned about $10 per day in the early 1950s for a 60-hour week.

1952 had particularly good weather, forcing Mayor Driscoll to enact water restrictions for the first time.

The Stockton Hotel held a children’s masquerade ball for hotel guests and local children. Over 20 awards were given out for things like the funniest, most unique, and prettiest costumes. There was a complaint in the South Monmouth news that there was no way to keep up with the parties. It seemed every hotel and every other home in Sea Girt and Spring Lake had a party to attend.

The year ended on a sad note. Police Chief William Panz died after 28 years of service at age 62. At St. Uriel’s, rain slickers were everywhere as police chiefs from all over New Jersey, the entire SG Fire Company and local chiefs, the VFW, plus a small army of police officers came to the December funeral. South Monmouth News wrote

“He was beloved, respected, and honored by those under his command. He was firm but generous, stern but courteous. It was in his community that the Democratic Governor's Day rallies were held.

Guarding the thousands and the dignitaries was a task that befell to his command. He always rose to the occasion in a manner that stamped him as an efficient police chief.

He rightfully won the praise of the late President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the late Gov. A Harry Moore, Frank Hague and other state and national figures.

Chief of Police Panz took a very active part in police activities in the state and the nation. A veteran of the First World War, he gave part of his time to furthering the activities of the VFW. He was always active in community betterment. Sea Girt will miss William H. Panz, but they never will forget his service to the borough.”

Chief Panz would have been happy that he was replaced by William E. Millington as Chief. Millington had been hired as a special officer by Panz in 1932 against the wishes of Mayor Ray Nellis. John Enright, the longest-serving man on the force was upgraded to Captain.