Mamaroneck High School Baseball Team to Celebrate 'Chappy Prom'

By Debbie Manetta

With a State Championship under their belts, the players on Mamaroneck High School’s varsity baseball team are even more likely to have any amazing time at prom….”Chappy Prom” that is. Legendary high school baseball coach Mike Chiapparelli – who has led the Mamaroneck Tigers to three State championships in the last eight years -- has planned a special gathering for all team members and their dates who had to miss the school’s official senior prom, held the same evening they traveled to Binghamton, NY for the State Semifinals/Championship games.

“When we won the State Regional Championship and people realized that they would have to miss the prom because the boys would be in route to the Championships, girls across Larchmont and Mamaroneck were crying, hair appointments were lost and the flower shops were put on notice,” joked Bari Suman, MUFSD’s Director of Health, Physical Education & Athletics. “But I believe every kid on the Mamaroneck baseball team would agree that cancelling on their dates was well worth it!”

“Chappy Prom” will be held on Tuesday, June 23 at Flint Park in Larchmont. The official NY Yankees’ limousine will be used to transport the players and their dates at 6 pm from Mamaroneck High School to a private beach club for photos and then to the prom, which begins at 7 pm.

“While many of the players’ original dates for the school’s official prom ended up finding substitute dates last Friday, they’ll now have the chance to experience it a second time around,” said Head Coach Chiapparelli. “Between you and me, I think there are a lot of girls hoping to be invited.”

Coach Chiapparelli spoke gushingly about this group of athletes, which includes many NY State academic award winners. Like the

26 other Mamaroneck teams that were recognized by New York State as Scholar Athlete teams this year (determined by the number

of athletes needed to compete, maintaining an academic cumulative average of 90 or above), the Mamaroneck baseball team is full of athletes who excel on and off the field.

“We won 12 straight games in capturing Mamaroneck’s 3rd Class AA State Championship and #1 ranking in the State. The Tigers this year were League, Section, Regional and State champs, lead by captains Kumar Nambiar, Andy Karlan, Andrew Sommer, Jason Kreinces, and Anthony Pecora. To win States, we had contributions made by all members of the team,” Chiapparelli said. “Thank you to our administration for supporting us throughout this season’s great run.

Dr Shaps attended and stayed for our 13 inning affair vs Arlington; Liz Clain was at many of our games, and Ms. Bari Suman did everything we asked to make us successful. On top of that, I thank our Little league Board for working with our kids throughout; my volunteer coaching staff -- consisting of Coach Joe Glaser, Don Novick, Matt Porrechelli, Kurt Jachner, Lou Arias and Matt Pringle -- for all their help, and many thanks to our parents who followed and supported us throughout the season.”

With graduation just around the corner, much of the varsity team will be putting an end to the Mamaroneck High School chapter, but team members will never forget their Tigers and the feeling of being number-one. Tuesday’sprom will provide a chance for that final dance.

Photo: 2015 Class AA State Championship Mamaroneck High School Varsity Baseball Team. Photo credit: Mamaroneck School District via Facebook