Fort Lee Summer Baseball League Concludes Successful First Season

When Tracy and Will Mattei started the American League Summer Baseball League, they had a vision. It was a vision of kids having fun in the summer and learning more about the game of baseball from devoted coaches and parents. That vision became a reality as the season recently ended, everybody indeed had a good time.

Twin Towers Exxon, Batchout.com and Pomodoro Pizza were sponsors for the league, and many volunteers pitched in to help coach the kids, including Steve Casillo. Casillo umpired for the league twice a week and served as an umpire, coach and advisor for the children involved in the league. Christian Lasval and Zachary Ware were junior coaches and also a big part of the league, along with all of the other coaches, parents and volunteers

The league was also joined by a team from Englewood Cliffs, making for a pretty unique situation. Wins and losses were not recorded as it was an instructional league and the children got to play many different positions throughout the summer to see what they liked best and what best fit them.

The instruction and tutelage seemed to work with the kids.

"Each of them seemed to get a lot better, especially the ones who love baseball," said one parent.

A Fall Clinic is also on its way, which is causing excitement from some kids who have learned a lot already and are ready to learn more.

"My son was so happy with this league," said another parent. "He was so happy he was able to change positions and really got to play a lot. He is looking forward to the Fall Clinic."

A lot of hard work ent into the league from players, and coaches, to parents and volunteers, and it all paid off as it proved to be quite an experience. Friendships were formed, and many things were learned at the inaugural season of the Fort Lee American League Summer Baseball League.