By Brian McLaughlin
This summer marks the third year that the Rebels have been chosen to attend the Cooperstown Dreams Park National Youth Invitational Tournament, taking place July 13-19.
The Rebels team includes Valley Stream players Nicholas Vecchione, Thomas Daly and Billy Firpo, Malverne players Matthew Capece and Raymond Kenny, Lynbrook players Ralph Sorbara, Brian Zirkil, Frank Sorrentino and Jayson Scibelli, Rockville Centre players Roy Natoli and Thomas Nesdill and Franklin Square player Jason Licata. The team will be managed by Lynbrook resident Harry Herman and coached by Eugene Scibelli of Lynbrook and Pete Mayo of Valley Stream. Tom Porr of Lynbrook is president of the team.
The Rebels' coaches are confident that their boys will demonstrate "talent, enthusiasm and determination against some tough competition," according to Porr.
"This tournament allows these young players to realize why it's every boy's dream to become a baseball legend," added Porr.
Indeed, the setting of the tournament will play a large role in the players' experience. The Rebels will spend seven days and six nights in the Baseball Village Clubhouse, trading souvenirs, tips and stories with other players. They will eat meals in a team dining hall. And of course, the team will have the chance to explore the rich sports history of Cooperstown and visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
But of course, the real reason for the trip is the tournament, in which teams from throughout the country will play games against each other throughout the week, with the national playoffs taking place at the end of the week.
Players will also be able to compete in various skill activities, both for teams and individual players, including the "King of the Swat" hitting contest, "Road Runner" base running, the "Golden Arm" accuracy and distance throw, and the "Around the Horn Plus" in which a team will work together to field the ball and tag bases in a designated sequence.
Each team participating in the tournament will play at least eight games, weather permitting. The teams with the best records will be entered into the playoffs at the end of the week. The two top teams will return at the end of the summer for the championship game.
Player Nicholas Vecchione says that he is excited about the Cooperstown trip because he will be able to "experience the atmosphere of Major League Baseball." Player Matt Capece thinks that playing in the tournament will help him "find out how good of a player I really am." Other players are excited about visiting the Hall of Fame, meeting players from other states, and just having fun.
The Rebels' coaching staff said they are "very proud to give the children in our community the opportunity to play ball in the true sense of the word."
The closing ceremonies of the tournament will take place on July 18 at Dreams Park. Each player and coach will receive a commemorative ring.
The South Shore Rebels are made up of players (top row) Chris Schierle, Thomas Nesdill, Roy Natoli, Frank Sorrentino, Brian Zirkel, (middle row) Jayson Scibelli, Matt Capece, Raymond Kenny, Jason Lacata, (bottom row) Ralph Sorbara, Nicholas Vecchione, Thomas Daly and Billy Firpo, coach Peter Mayo, president Tom Porr, manager Harry Herman and coach Joe Natoli.
