Field of Dreams in Port Washington
04/01/2010, 1:24am (EDT)
By Lauren Jaeger
“PYA 2000/Field of Dreams project” was implemented to provide improvement for the benefit of both the youths and the community.
In 1963, Port Washington created a non-profit, charitable organization that was built to cater to its youth residents and provide an opportunity to partake in organized games. It was the birth of The Port Washington Youth Activities (PYA). With an emphasis on the development of sports skills, the primary mission was set to develop both character and an understanding of how participation in sporting events can prepare you for success in all paths of life. PYA now caters to over 13 diverse sports programs, including baseball, softball, football, basketball, lacrosse, roller hockey, and tennis for more than 3,000 boys and girls on an annual basis.
In 1987, PYA Baseball Commissioner Jimmy Cosolito obtained the required Little League license, which allowed competition with local and national baseball teams, and the hopes of a journey to the Little League World Series Championship in Williamsport. To date, PYA has won six District 28 Championships and gone on to compete in three Long Island Championships, but yet to go all the way to Williamsport. Perhaps this is the year.
Since its inception, PYA was granted the use of Lion's Field, an undeveloped 10 acre parcel of land, by rights of the Port Washington Water Pollution Control/Sewer District and the Lion's Club. In 2001, PYA decided a change was needed, and it was time to redevelop and upgrade Lions Field. The project plans were put in place for a renovation and transformation of the land into a top-notch athletic facility. A top-notch facility is what they got, the PYA Field of Dreams was created including five state of the art Little League fields. In fact, two of fields are replicas of the Williamsport field with 200 ft. fences.
The PYA baseball program was built on the foundation that proper development and fundamental skills are the keys to success. With that in mind and several years of trial and error, the structure to the baseball program was established. In the late 90’s, three phases were put into play, which separated the kids by grade to develop their skills in the most effective manner.
Developmental Baseball: The developmental phase was built to cater to kids between kindergarten and second grade. The primary purpose is to nurture and teach the fundamental skills of baseball. These skills include proper throwing and catching techniques, swinging a bat, hitting a pitched ball, positioning in the field, and how to field a ball. All of these skills are taught in stations until the second grade, where they are placed on the field and pitched to. The emphasis is on the joy of playing and learning with the full participation of each of the players.
Minor League Baseball: The minor league was built for kids in the third and fourth grades. There are fourteen minor league teams that play full games on the field. The minor league is developmental in nature with fundamental skills introduced when appropriate for the age or readiness of the player. An emphasis is placed on further learning of the fundamental skills and putting these skills to use through practice once a week and a game on the weekend.
Major League Baseball: The next step in the PYA baseball program is the major league, which is built of players in grades five through seven. There are twelve teams that make up the major league. The developmental skills continue to grow within this stage as well as an increased level of participation in the game. Further development of pitching, catching, bunting, stealing bases, and the defensive skills are the main focus.
In addition to creating an incredibly successful little league program, a summer program was created as well. The PYA Summer Travel League was developed with sixteen travel teams for grades three through seven that play throughout Long Island. Each year two teams are sent to Cooperstown to compete nationally in the Cooperstown Field of Dreams Tournament.
Over the years, there have been many PYA baseball alumni that have gone on to play collegiately and professionally. Some of these players include Kenny Henderson (New York Institute of Technology and 1999 Pittsburgh Pirates 25th round draft pick), Brandon Kurz (New York Institute of Technology and Free Agent Signee for the 2003 Milan, Italian League), Thomas Murray (New York Institute of Technology), Everett Keller (recently signed by Hofstra University), Dylan Kane (recently signed by Middlebury College) and the Alas brothers, Brian (University of Richmond) and Kevin (William & Mary). Other colleges that some of PYA’s finest played at include Bucknell University, Marist College, Old Dominion University, and Stonehill College, to name a few.
For almost 18 years, Ronnie Henderson, a lifetime Port Washington resident, has been the PYA Executive Director and states that “We find a place for all kids to play.” A self declared baseball and sports fanatic, Henderson has watched the program continuously grow over the past several years and is enthralled by the advances that have been made by the kids and for the kids. He states, “We are committed to bringing growth and sportsmanship to all of these children and to the organization as a whole.” He also states that, “It is the selflessness of the volunteers that keeps the PYA afloat, we wouldn’t we be able to do what we do without them.”
Baseball Player Magazine wishes the PYA continued success and hopes that one day soon the baseball team will make their way to Williamsport!
Tag(s): Home All News Little Leagues Team News
Comments
Let’s get the conversation started! Post your comment.