American League Season Just Weeks Away, Begins Workouts Wednesday

Today marks the first day that little leaguers play for their teams this season in the Fort Lee American League and it would not have been possible without the weeks of work leading up to this point.

Because of the tireless preparation from league members like President Richie Radoian, the Fort Lee children can now enjoy another season of baseball.

The smiles were first seen by the young ballplayers on Sunday morning when many boys showed what they were capable of doing in the league’s official tryout.

When many children would still be sleeping, players started showing up around eight o’clock in the morning just to have the opportunity to play baseball this season.

With small bats in hand, tiny gloves and big smiles, the athletes participated in three phases of the session including ground balls, pop-ups, and hitting.

It was a way for the coaches to be introduced to each player and learn more about their many talents.

Fort Lee Athletic Club Coach Howard Pearl looks for one important thing when he watches the athletes trying out.

“We’re looking for talent but also looking for attitude,” said the coach who has won the title three of the last five years. “We want kids that really want to play and are enthusiastic.”

Young Mike Tavaglione was one of those athletes who tried out this year and has for each of the past few seasons.

“It’s just fun to play,” he said after tryout out. “You meet friends and you want to just keep coming back.”

The same can be said for the coaches who have guided their own children for the past few years and many who continue to contribute even after their kids have graduated from the league.

There is a certain draw that keeps coaches like Peter Mancini coming back. Mancini won the major league title last year and the Mayor’s Cup with his Fairway team.

“It’s exciting to see the young kids with smiles on their faces,” Mancini said on Sunday. “That’s what it is all about. It’s all about the kids.”

And it’s the same smiles that has league President Richie Radoian organizing these tryouts well past the days when his sonplayed in the league and well into his own retirement as well.

“At the age of six, you are going to be here for the next six years,” the 21-year President said of the new players. “You’re a part of our family and we want you to enjoy it.”

And in order to do that, the coaches had to put their clipboards and videos to task when the all-important league draft was held that night.

In a closed door meeting that is sometimes referred to as “hell night,” takes place, the coaches build the teams for the future

“It gets pretty intense sometimes,” Radoian said of the draft. “We don’t let anybody from the outside in, and there is a lot of screaming and yelling. It’s enjoyable and at the end of the day, it is all done.”

So with the tryout and draft now complete, the next step is starting practice, which takes place starting tonight.

Coaches like Joe Holzapfel, whose team won the minors last year, hopes of memories this season to repeat.

“The minor league championship was a three-way [competition] where we won in the last inning of the last game,” he said. “Without a doubt, every year is better than the last.”

“The kids are excited and I’m excited,” said coach Will Mattei, who runs a clinic during the winter months to prepare the athletes for the upcoming season. “I’m more excited for the kids to develop and get better.”

They will have the opportunity to do that starting today when practice is held from 3 to 6 p.m. The evaluations will also take place on Thursday at the Community Center at the same times in addition to Friday from 6 to 9 p.m.

There is also still time for late registration and additional coaches/players. Those interested can contact Richie Radoian at (201) 592-3746 for more information about the Fort Lee American League.