L.I. Lizards name newest ball boys

The Long Island Lizards Major League Lacrosse team announced June 16 that two East Meadow residents, Andrew Noorigian, 11 and Matthew Fertitta, 11, have been named the team’s new ball boys for home games and practices for the rest of the 2011 season.

Andrew and Matthew have been involved with the East Meadow PAL fifth- and sixth-grade lacrosse program for a year, and it is clear that they both love the sport. When the boys aren’t practicing, they are likely to be found watching the Lizards working out at Hofstra University. Their enthusiasm for both the sport and the Lizards has earned them an opportunity to hang out with their biggest idols and improve their own skills.

Lacrosse is a newly learned sport for both boys. “This is my first year playing lacrosse, and I really like it a lot!” said Matthew, who attends McVey Elementary School. And Andrew, a Barnum Woods Elementary School student who moved to Long Island from Florida a year ago, feels lucky to be exposed to lacrosse, which is not yet very popular in his old community. It seems that “awesome” is the word of choice for both boys when they describe their future with the Lizards.

Being a ball boy for an MLL team is no easy task. The work is strenuous: There is a great deal of running, lifting and doing chores before and after practices. But both sets of parents are fully supportive. “I think this is an amazing and wonderful opportunity for the boys, and I really appreciate the coaches … and the team for giving them the chance to take part in their organization,” said Andrew’s mother, Jessica. “Andrew’s dad and I are very proud of him.”

Matthew’s mother, Denise, is just as grateful. “This is a wonderful experience for my son,” she said.

According to Bill Alderman, a volunteer PAL lacrosse coach, Lizards ball boys are chosen based on skills, maturity level and the ability to follow directions. A candidate must first be recommended by an affiliated youth sports coach, then is interviewed by the assistant equipment manager and goes to a tryout, where various lacrosse skills and attention to detail are judged. Finally, team officials evaluate how the candidate performs under pressure on a game day, when the crowd is roaring and ESPN cameras are capturing the action. After all of these observations, the team and staff choose the best ball boys.

Andrew and Matthew know that the benefits make the job worth it: They have already received pointers from Lizards players Peter Vhalakis, Nicky Polanco, Julian Watts and others.