The champs are here!

In a scene as timeless as the bunt sign, the Oceanside National Little League all-star team celebrated its championship in a frenzied mass on the pitcher’s mound. Two seconds after sure-handed second baseman Matthew McGinley scooped up a ground ball and flipped it to first base to put the finishing touches on Oceanside’s 6-2 win over Rockville Centre in the deciding game of the District 30 under-10 tournament, 14 players converged in the center of the diamond and commenced high-fiving, hugging and hammering one another with deep affection. It was fitting that the team would come together in its finest moment.

“They were a special team in that they put the team first,” said Tom Collins, who manages the collection of regular-season all-stars. “Playing time was not an issue and everyone supported each other. Every player did something to help us.”

With the win, Oceanside advanced to the double-elimination sectional tournament. They played Gerristen Beach of Brooklyn in the opening round of the sectionals on Saturday at Wright Field.

After the league’s regular season was completed, 14 all-stars were selected to represent Oceanside in the District 30 tournament against Long Beach, Island Park, Rockville Centre, East Roackaway, Freeport and Lynbrook. They practiced nearly every day for four weeks.

The tournament started promisingly when Oceanside defeated Rockville Centre 9-3 on June 23. Rockville Centre was not done. After Oceanside beat Lynbrook on June 25, and East Rockaway two days later, they suffered their first, and only, loss to Rockville Centre on July 7. So it all came down to a July 9 meeting between Oceanside and Rockville Centre at Gries Park in Lynbrook. Only the winner would advance.

Rockville Centre jumped out to an early lead, and it was still 2-0 into the third inning. But walks to Dennis Chaisson, Jack Stiansen and Liam Collins loaded the bases. Charlie McKee, the pitcher, tied the game with a two-RBI single, and then shortstop Chris Hayes hit a three-run homer to give Oceanside a lead it would never lose. Hayes’ blast was his third of the tournament. Jeremy Feder and Jonny Rosado also had big hits in the tournament. Collins said that clutch outfield play and heads-up baserunning also played a big part in the team’s success.

“It was a beautiful victory,” said Laura Koss-Feder, Jeremy’s mother.

The Players:

Liam Collins

Charlie Mckee

Chris Hayes

Mathew McGinley

Dennis Chaisson

Jack Stiansen

Chris Valukis

Jeremy Feder

Sammy Burch

Daniel Peters

Spenser Kolb

Nick Fustanio

George Larosa

Jonny Rosano

The Coaches:

Tom Collins -mgr

Tom McGinley - 3rd base

Jeff Chaisson -1st base