Frank Lisboa delivers a strike The Garden City FIRE Boys Travel baseball team had a successful and fun Spring/Summer Season. The boys really came together this past year and took a significant step forward as a team. The biggest difference this year was their ability to combine a quality "small ball game" and their emerging "long ball" game. But most importantly they began to consistently win a majority of the close 1 and 2 run games. Their ability to grind out wins and always stay competitive increased their overall team confidence and ultimately lead them to a 14-4 record and a division title in the Nassau Country Youth League this past June.

The FIRE then participated in the East Coast Nationals at Baseball Heaven in August. The tournament started out slow for the FIRE but the team quickly regained focus played very good ball. On the last day of the tournament the team had a spectular come from behind victory powered by Andrew Connors, Ken Ritchie and Darryl Tan who all homered to put the FIRE back within reach but the comeback was not complete until Brian Emmert hit a walk off 3 run homer to win the game. The FIRE then took that momentum into the final game where they quickly overpowered their opponents, winning by the crush rule as Andrew Connors hit another walk off homer for the FIRE. Although the FIRE had hit their stride they ended up finishing second in their bracket and just missed qualifying for the championship game.

Manager Scott kiley and son Sean Kiley just before Closing Ceremonies From there the FIRE headed to Cooperstown All Star Village to compete against some of the best teams in entire country. The week-long experience of the camp and tournament in Cooperstown was beyond all expectations and provided a lifetime of memories for the boys. From the minute the boys arrived and realized they would be playing on the absolute finest youth fields in the country to the moment they received the Youth Hall of Fame rings in a closing ceremony complete with a full Fireworks display, they got to play in a setting that rivaled something out of "Field of Dreams". The boys made the most of it and added many personal highlights of their own. Brian Mitchell hit his first ever homer run - a pinch hit grand slam over the Green Monster, Drew Simone threw lights out in several pitching appearances and Sean Kiley pitched one of the best games of the tournament for the FIRE, leading them to a huge upset victory against a top 10 team from North Carolina in the first round of the playoffs. Darryl Tan had his hottest week ever at the plate, as every ball he hit just jumped off his bat, while Kyle Ritchie did his best Brooks Robinson imitation at third base during 1 game where he made 3 sensational diving plays. Kyle Ritchie also set an unusual team pitching record getting 5 strikeouts in 1 inning, thanks in part to a momentary team defensive lapse. Joe Gulmi hit well and made his FIRE pitching debut. Frank Lisboa pitched well in relief in our opening game and was steady in left field making the big plays when it counted. Andrew Connors and Ken Ritchie hit a combined 10 homeruns and provided a constant long ball threat. Connors played outstanding shortstop while Kenny did double duty on the pitchers mound and behind the plate. Alex Passaretti lead the team with outstanding defense at both second base, a solid pitching performance and in right field where he had several key outfield assists. Nick Cento had the assist of the tournament, throwing out a runner at first base on a single to left field with the outfield drawn in during a critical situation in a close game. Rich D'Angelo was our sparkplug for small ball with successful squeeze plays, multiple bunt hits and stealing several bases. Although the FIRE were eliminated in the playoffs by the eventual champions, the undefeated DESTOYERS from California they held their own even against some of the super select teams. Special thanks again to the parents and coaches that made this weeklong event happen for the kids.

Some Laughs with MR Baseball The FIRE are now looking ahead and hope to have as much fun this upcoming FALL season as they have had so far this year.

Rich D'Angelo and Kyle Ritchie all smiles at a pregame photo opportunity The FIRE are now looking ahead and hope to have as much fun this upcoming FALL season as they have had so far this year.

FIRE Team mobs Andrew Connors after he hits homerun Darryl Tan tries to score around the tag of the catcher Alex Passaretti applies the inning ending tag at second Nick Cento gets ready to apply the tag The FIRE team at the Hall of Fame Tan, Kiley, Passaretti, Connors and Mitchell study plaques of first HOF inductees The FIRE Team at Main Entrance to Cooperstown All Star Village