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New York All-Stars Cherish Experience vs. 18U National Team
11/04/2010, 8:30am (EDT)
By Steve Sidoti Photos by Ellen Schuerger
From July 6-10, the Greater New York Sandlot Alliance All-Stars played the role of host to the 18U U.S.A. National Team. The two teams competed in five games in four days at MCU Park in Brooklyn, St. John’s University in Queens, and Hofstra University in Hempstead.
The 18U U.S.A. National Team roster included six players who were selected in the 2010 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft just a month prior to the games in New York. Two of those players were taken in the second and third rounds respectively. Switch-hitting shortstop Marcus Littlewood was selected in the second round by the Seattle Mariners and left-handed hitting infielder Tony Wolters was a third round pick of the Cleveland Indians.
Additional names from the U.S.A. roster will be draft-eligible next summer, as players such as Henry Owens, Christian Lopes, Dillon Maples, Francisco Lindor, and Bubba Starling all have been projected as first-round talent.
Starling, who has committed to play both baseball and football at the University of Nebraska, is expected to be drafted rather high come next June. The OF/P made his first trip to New York during these games and walked away rather impressed.
“I thought I was going to be a little scared and nervous to start,” said Starling. “But their team and their guys have made everyone feel welcome and it’s just real fun to be up here and I would definitely come out here again.”
Playing against some of the best players in the country can only give a competitor a chance to see where he stacks up, while allowing that player to get better. In the case of one member of the New York team, the competition did just that.
“For me, my greatest memory was coming into the game in the 8th inning at St. John's University and striking out Tony Wolters,” said pitcher Mike Martin of Manhattan College. “I think the best part about playing against Team U.S.A. was the chance to compete against the best players in the nation and play against future major-league all-stars.” The selection process for the Greater New York Alliance All-Stars consisted of gathering players from the premier programs in the metropolitan area. First, 140 players took part in five separate tryouts. From there, the top fifty played in a scrimmage at Hofstra University, as scouts and the New York coaches chose the best 30 to be a part of their roster. Paul Busciolano, Director of Player Personnel, played a big role in the scouting process and made numerous recommendations based on skill set.
Due to availability of the players, the New York team was only able to hold three two hour practices, something that both players and coaches contribute to their 0-5 showing.
“The biggest challenge playing for the New York team was trying to get team chemistry in a week before the series started,” said Martin. “If we were given more time to prepare, there is no doubt in my mind that we would have been able to beat them”.
“We plan on having an indoor facility this year in January and have the players work out twice a week,” said Vic Feld, President of the Greater New York Sandlot Alliance. “From there, we will pick the players we want. If we do that, this team will be much better prepared then what we have had.” Although the results on the field were not what the New York team had hoped for, the games opened windows, gave players exposure, and provided them with a chance of a lifetime.
“We had a lot of calls from college coaches and scouts on these kids,” said Feld. “We had a couple of kids step up that weren’t scouted in high school. They then had a great five days and now suddenly are on the map. So, you couldn’t ask for more exposure, which was primarily what this was all about.”
“In the fourth game at Hofstra, I was the starting pitcher and the last inning I struck out the side,” said left-hander Eddie Macaluso of Iona College. “That, I will never forget. This was one of the best times I have had on a baseball field with such great teammates.”
On July 9th, both teams were treated to something special, as they were honored at Citi Field, the home of the New York Mets, who hold a great working relationship with the Greater New York Sandlot Alliance. Coaches and directors received awards and congratulations from David Wright and Ike Davis, as players stood beside their favorite big leaguers.
“Attending the Mets game is an experience I will never forget,” said Martin. “The feeling of walking out onto the field and hearing your national anthem play while on the field is something words can't describe. I remember turning around to Eddie Macaluso and saying, ‘Dude we’re on the field listening to the national anthem feet away from the New York Mets.”
“Walking on to Citi Field and getting introduced prior to the Mets game was a thrill I will never forget,” said catcher Brian Hunter of St. John the Baptist. “Standing next to Jose Reyes, David Wright, and Jeff Francoeur was awesome. It was really cool talking to them before the game."
The players on the New York team are aware that this experience truly was a once in a lifetime opportunity and hope that future players take advantage of going out for the team next season.
“I would recommend playing for the New York team to anyone who is really serious about playing baseball,” said outfielder Joseph Torres of Xaverian High School. According to coaches, Torres went from being an unknown, to being asked about by various scouts after each game.
“The coaches were dedicated and put a lot of effort into this tournament as well. The whole experience was a great memory to me. It will never be forgotten and I wish I could do it all over again. Hopefully I get a chance to play competition like that again. Anyone that is thinking about playing for this team should give it a try because it will be the best thing they can do.”
“Playing against Team U.S.A. was one of the best baseball experiences of my life,” said Hunter. “I have been to East Cobb several times as well as other highly competitive tournaments around the country, but nothing was even close to the week against Team U.S.A. Every player in the New York area should try out for the team next year. It is an honor to get selected to compete against the best players from around the country. Getting the chance to see where I stood against these players was an excellent opportunity. Having some success against them gave me confidence that I can get to where they are with some more hard work and experience.”
Another special part of Team U.S.A.’s visit, was the instructional day that was held on July 8th. The New York players were treated to a practice in which they were instructed by various former major leaguers. They also were given the chance to speak to the opposing players, who shared their reasons for playing at such a high level, while representing their country.
All are proud of how the week turned out, as it was a great success in more ways then one. “It was completely successful from every way,” said Feld. “From marketing our program, to putting the kids out there to play, to doing all this again next year. It was just a phenomenal thing.”
“Certainly a lot of the success goes back to Vic Feld and Lou Santos and all the guys over at the Greater New York Sandlot Alliance,” said Rick Riccobono, the director of the 18U National Team. “It was pretty obvious that there was a tremendous amount of effort put in. The conversation about this whole endeavor really started about a year and a half prior to us actually getting there. The amount of effort, time, and work that went into making it a success was very evident.”
Despite all the great words from the coaches, participants, and all the people that made the week possible, it could just be that the best is yet to come.
“Basically right now, people tell us that we are probably the largest nonprofit sandlot baseball program in the United States at 25,000 strong,” said Feld. “So with that kind of strength and that kind of power, my board of directors and I feel that we can really bring back the imminence of what New York City baseball is about, was about, and continues to be about. And we’ve got a couple of big things planned for 2011.”
A special thanks from Victor Feld, the President of the Greater New York Sandlot Alliance, to the following people for their tireless work and effort to make the week possible: Tom Brasuell (MLB Vice President of Community Affairs), Kevin Serdi (liaison between the GNYSAA and Team U.S.A.), Paul Busciolano (Director of Player Personnel), Lou Santos, coach Shaun Manning, Lauren Jaeger, Jennifer Jaeger, John Nese, Gary Perone, Steve Edwards, Edwin Suarez, Peter Campenella, Bill Bellis, coach Pat Anderson, coach Don Landolphi, coach Jack Kaiser, coach Dhrayl Russell, coach Mel Zitter, Billy Blitzer (Area Scout, Chicago Cubs), the American Baseball University, and the umpires.
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