Summit Hilltoppers rock Cooperstown

For five glorious days this summer, the 12U Summit Hilltoppers baseball team attended the Cooperstown All Star Village Baseball tournament. It is a tradition for Summit Junior Baseball and Softball (SJBS) to send a team to Cooperstown to play in this tournament. This year’s Hilltoppers did not disappoint, going further in the tournament than any Summit team in previous years.

The first three days of pool play at Cooperstown, the Hilltoppers played teams from California, Illinois, and New York. The Hilltoppers went 3-3 heading into the single elimination playoffs. In their first playoff game the Hilltoppers easily beat a team from Long Island 18-6. But it was their second playoff game, against the Hazlet Hawks (NJ), that was the most exciting game this team has ever played.

Entering the game, against the Hawks as underdogs, the Hilltoppers knew they would need to play an exceptional game to win, and they did just that. Jackson Levine got things started offensively for the Hilltoppers in the top of the second with a solo opposite field Home Run. Tied 1-1, in the top of the 3rd, Head Coach Flavio Acitelli sensed that this game was going to be a pitcher’s duel and that the Hilltoppers would need to manufacture runs. When Sam Story sprinted to first base on an infield hit and subsequently stole second, Coach Acitelli gave the bunt sign to Patrick Formichelli. Reading the signal Formichelli’s perfect sacrifice bunt moved Story to third base. With reliable leadoff hitter Kenneth O’Connor at the plate, Acitelli signals that O’Connor should swing away. O’Connor does just that, and drives home Story. With Story scoring and a subsequent run in the bottom of the 4th, the Hilltoppers got the 3 runs they would need to beat the Hawks 3-2. While the Hawks are historically an offensive powerhouse, they were unable to do much against the absolute brilliance of C.J. Wilkerson and Anthony Acitelli on the mound for the Hilltoppers. Wilkerson, who was the winning pitcher, let up 2 runs on 3 hits, and Acitelli, who recorded the save, was perfect in the 9 batters he faced. In the bottom of the 6th inning with the Hilltoppers up 3-2 the Summit fans were on the edge of their seats and nervous, especially when they found out that the top of the order was up. But Acitelli would not be intimidated and shut them down 1,2,3. When the 3rd out was recorded the players, coaches, and fans went absolutely wild. It was a win for the ages.

Some other player highlights during the course of the tournament include:

• Spectacular catches and multiple homeruns by outfielders Rhys Shannon and Ryan Schnall.
• Catcher Christopher Moglia’s Home Run against the Alameda Rascals.
• Matthew Gatward’s two monster hits against the Nighthawks of New York.
• 3rd baseman Miles Kelly playing flawless at the corner going errorless in the tournament while making sportscenter worthy plays.

While the Hilltoppers were eventually eliminated in their 3rd playoff game by a better rested team from California the loss did not dampen their spirits. The week spent at Cooperstown was more than wins and losses. It was about friendship, camaraderie, and fun.

Other highlights for the team during the time at Cooperstown were:

• A trip to the Baseball Hall of fame and Double Day field in downtown Cooperstown.
• An afternoon spent swimming and boating at Gilbert Lake
• Pin trading and swimming with players from the other 50 other teams staying in All Star Village.
• C.J Wilkerson coming in 3rd place, overall, in the tournament Home Run Derby.
• A ring ceremony where the players were inducted into the youth baseball hall of fame.
• A team and family party overlooking championship field.

Acitelli’s coaching staff is comprised of Tim Shannon, Ryan Moglia, and David Story. These four men are highly respected by the players and their parents. The Hilltoppers coaching staff, while having a high competitive spirit, realize the game is so much more than wins and losses and they make sure that life lessons are taught via baseball. They insist on hustle, humbleness, and sportsmanship. They are a pillar of coaching.

The Summit Hilltoppers were joined on this trip by Summit baseball umpire Lew Satulsky. For many years’ umpire “Lew” has been escorting summit teams to this tournament. Lew makes sure the kids and coaches have the best possible experience during their week in tournament and imparts baseball wisdom to not only the players, but the coaches, and fellow umpires as well.

As an added bonus there was a second Summit team in Cooperstown the same week, the Summit Yetis. The Yetis and the Hilltoppers (coaches, players, parents) would attend and cheer at each others games. A great sign of Summit pride.

Youth sports is often the target of media articles highlighting abusive coaches, crazy parents, and players who have lost the “love of the game.” The Summit Hilltoppers experience at Cooperstown (and the entire season) was just the opposite. Caring and compassionate coaching, supportive and positive parents and 11 wonderful boys playing America’s pastime for no other reason than just good old fashioned fun.