New Castle Takes Home Under-12 WPBA Title

New Castle's under-12 Westchester Putnam Baseball Association squad enjoyed a dream season this year, going 16-2 during the regular season before winning the postseason championship.

New Castle earned the title when it overcame a five-run eficit and beat Armonk 10-6 in the championship game.

That championship was clinched on Aug. 14 at Lakeland High School but the road to the title started well before then according to coach Peter Cohen, who was assisted by Peter Gadaleta, David Factor and Jeff Neeck.

New Castle actually started on its championship road when people were still shoveling snow.

"We got an early start," Cohen said. "The boys were working out starting in January and going through March before we could get outside. For the boys, it just clicked. Our players really have improved over the last few years."

The team worked out over the winter at Pro Swing's new facility in Port Chester.

"We started going there once a week," Cohen said. "It wasn't a phenomenal change but once a week they were playing baseball in January and February."

Cohen said the opportunity for the kids to put a bat on the ball long before the season started was an invaluable experience for them.

"It sure helped a lot," Cohen said. "Not every last kid could make every last practice since they play other sports. But it helped them to start thinking about baseball instead of just picking up your glove in April."

Besides working out early in the winter, what Cohen also felt was a key in his team's drive to the title was playing in Cooperstown Dreams Park the week of July 10.

Every week there are tournaments there consisting of 104 teams. The teams arrive on Friday night with a parade on Saturday.

Each team then plays two games on Sunday, two games on Monday, two games on Tuesday, then Wednesday starts an elimination tournament.

Cohen thought the experience for his team was a great one, one that prepared it for the stretch run of its WPBA season. New Castle played against teams from all over the country.

Some of those teams were from California, Texas and Florida, who are warm-weather squads that can play year-round.

"We're all also going against club teams while we are a little town team," Cohen said. "We have a tryout and make our team. We are all from this town. The club teams you might see in Cooperstown are recruiting and the kids may drive an hour and a half to be the first baseman on one team and another kid may come from a different direction three towns over. Those teams are pretty awesome."

While those teams may have been awesome, Cohen thought his squad handled themselves well.

"We were 2-4 in the first six games, then won our first playoff game, then lost our last game," Cohen said. "But it was a great experience."

An experience that helped lay the groundwork to a championship. Making up New Castle's championship roster were Luke Cohen, Chris Evanko, Daniel Factor, Paul Gadaleta, Nate Goodman, Griffith Hanlon, Greg Krisberg, Daniel Lazarus, Asher McCabe, Aaron Neeck, Nick Perretti and Jojo Raguso.