Gioia-YMCA Baseball Finishes 7th Season

The Cyclones consist of (back row, left to right) Steven Szwejkowski, Juan Ruiz, Brandon Karran, Coach Jeff Hunter, Stephon Gilliam, Bryant Centeno, Jeremy Taveras, (front row) Raeshun Diaz, Digno Ortiz, Williams Sanchez, Jr., Michael Nohilly, (not pictured) Jamell Young, Christian Martinez and Charles Huynh. On Sept. 20, the Gioia-YMCA All-Stars Youth Baseball League finished its seventh season at Queensbridge Park. For those on the QB Bombers of the Novice Division and the Cyclones of the Bantam Division, winning the championship made it a day they will never forget.

All season, the QB Bombers struggled to get enough players to field a team and it cost them a number of games. During their last game their coaches vowed to make sure they had enough for the playoffs. They began the playoffs as the lowest seed, but in the first round, they upset the third seeded Champions and then triumphed over the second seeded Orioles in the semi-finals. For the championship they were matched against the Phillies, who also had their sights set on the top prize because they had beaten the top-seeded Mustangs in the other semifinal game.

The QB Bombers consist of (back row, left to right), Coach Chris Luther, Dillan Karran, Alex Huynh, Jose Ruiz, John Lluvera, Coach Edward Martinez, Darryl Harris, (front row) Cesar Garcia, Raheem Brinson, Amun Johnson, Jonathan Dean and (not pictured)Luis Ramos. Both teams came in ready for the big game. The QB Bombers got an early run. The Phillies kept missing opportunities but they cashed in on a throwing error for two runs. In the top of the fifth Darryl Harris came up with a man on first and second and got his first hit of the season to drive in a run and tie the game. The Phillies didn't score in the bottom of the frame and they had to go to extra innings to decide the championship. The crowd swelled because the Bantam Championship had just ended and there were over 200 people watching as they went to the sixth inning. Everyone was excited but the QB Bombers maintained their composure and were patient at the plate. After an error and a few walks they were able to get three runs across to get the score to 5-2. The Phillies were able to get a few runners on in the bottom of the sixth but south paw Jonathan Dean was able to shut them down without a run and the Bombers finished as Novice Division Champions by a score of 5-2.

In the Bantam Division the sixth seeded Nightmares took on the third Seeded Cyclones. Although the Cyclones were the higher seed the Nightmares seemed to have the edge with pitcher Elijah Alston pitching well down the stretch of the regular season and into the play-offs. The Cyclones proved to be tenacious behind the pitching of their lefthanded ace Steven Szwejkowski, stellar defense and some timely hitting. The Cyclones took advantage of some early miscues by the Nightmares and were able to build a 4-0 lead in the first inning. The Nightmares got two back with a big hit in the third but the Cyclones' third baseman, Michael Nohilly hit a bomb in the bottom of the fifth and gave the Cyclones some insurance. Steven Szwejkowski quietly finished up the game in the top of the sixth for a 6-2 win.

After the championship games, the league held its annual Family Day Picnic and Barbeque. All the families involved with the league donated food and drinks for the occasion. There was a Parent Softball Game in which many parents participated and a Coaches' Game in which most of the league coaches participated. In addition, there were children and parents all over the park playing pick-up games of baseball and just enjoying some family time in what turned out to be a beautiful day for all.

The Gioia-YMCA Youth Baseball League is a collaboration between the people of the 26th District represented by City Council Member Eric Gioia and the Long Island City YMCA.

The league focuses its registration efforts in Queensbridge and Ravenswood but serves children from all over Queens and the city. This season the league provided an opportunity to play baseball for over 250 children and employed over 30 volunteers acting in various capacities.

The program emphasizes learning the game of baseball, developing athletic and social skills while practicing the YMCA's core values of respect, responsibility, honesty and caring. Residents interested in becoming a volunteer coach or obtaining more information about programs offered by the LIC YMCA should contact Thomas Sylvester at 1-718-392-7932 x239 or e-mail tsylvester@ymcanyc.org.