Fort Lee American 11/12 All Stars Savor Success

The Fort Lee American Little League's 11- and 12-year-old All Star team had a nice summer season, finishing up with a record of 5-2 going 4-0 in the District 6 group phase.

During the team’s 4-0 run, they only gave up four runs in four games and won two games by 13 runs and 15 runs respectively. Franco Brusco has managed little league teams for eight years and said this season will be his last. Brusco is very proud of this team as he has been for several years.

"All in all, throughout the last four years, this team has strived for excellence and represented the little league well," Brusco said. "They brought a new level of hard work and dedication to this league, and with that, brought great success. I couldn't be prouder."

The team played with a "never-give-up" attitude, and assistant coach Howard Pearl said he admired the team’s character.

"The strongest quality of our team is heart," Pearl said. "These kids never quit and always give 100 percent. These kids worked hard and exhibited great sportsmanship and class throughout the season. This was the finest group of kids that I have ever had the privilege of coaching."

The All-Star team, which won the District 6 Championship in 2009 and was a finalist in 2008, was a semi-finalist this season. Brusco would have loved to notch another championship season, but many of his goals were met in spite of falling just short.

"My personal objectives have always remained the same since I decided to become a youth coach," Brusco said. "Those objectives include teaching the boys the game--in this case baseball--having fun, teamwork, building friendships, work ethic, sacrifice and overall attitude and respect toward peers, coaches and the game itself. Every coach or teacher hopes that the lessons taught can transcend that particular game or particular subject and give a positive experience to all players involved in the future as well as the present."