Summer Baseball with the Lindenhurst Fire!

Summer Baseball with the Lindenhurst Fire

By: Tom Kelly

Lindenhurst Fire Baseball Coach

Last week, the Lindenhurst Fire finished their first year of play, taking second place in the National Junior Baseball League (NJBL) U-11 division.  As one of the coaches, I had the wonderful opportunity to coach a group of talented young players who represented themselves well throughout the season, finishing with an overall record of 20-12.

During the year, the boys had the chance to play against other travel teams from Massapequa, Holbrook, Merrick, Port Washington, Rockville Center, Lynbrook, and Queens.  The Fire, the brainchild of Tom LaScala, a Lindenhurst American Little League (LALL) coach and NJBL umpire for the past 20+ years, had a roster of 12 players made up of 11 and 10 year olds, who often played against predominantly 11 year old teams.

Along with coaches Mike Newman and Bobby Lane, Tom and I hoped the season would give the boys the opportunity to play more baseball and challenge their skills and abilities against other talented teams.  Over the course of the season, the defensive teamwork, base running, hitting and pitching improved significantly for the Fire as well as the skills and abilities of our opponents, making for a number of very exciting games.

Key to our success was the outstanding pitching of aces Robert Commisso ( 7-1 record; 2.23 ERA; 70 K’s in 48 IP) and Danny LaScala (5-4; 2.68 ERA; 79 K’s in 56 IP), supported by Jack Sienkiewicz, Matt Newman, and Jack Kelly.  James Kwarta, who played for the Fire in the spring season, provided added depth to the rotation.  Notable performances were made by Commisso who gave up just 1 hit while striking out 12 in a game against Queens and LaScala, who gave up 2 hits over 6 innings, while striking out 9 against Rockville Center in the playoffs.  Also, during the season, Jack Sienkiewicz turned in a gem against Holbrook, when he pitched a complete game 2 hitter while striking out 10.

At the plate, the Fire batted .344 as a team and had a number of outstanding performances.  Jack Kelly led the team in hitting (.458 BA / .598 OBP / 25 Walks), along with standout batting from Willie Martinez (.451 BA / 29 RBI), Matt Newman (.420 BA /24 RBI / 29 RS), Joe DiPietrantonio (.397 BA 26 RBI), Nick Commisso (.371 BA), Danny LaScala (.329 BA / 20 RBI) and Bohdan Fostakofskyy (.321 BA).  As the teams leadoff hitter Bobby Lane set the table by walking 25 times and scoring 25 runs.

Defensively, the boys adjusted nicely to playing to a higher and faster level.  Playing talented opponents, the boys quickly learned that the margin of error between winning and losing often depending on making the routine plays all the time, and, in a number of instances, big plays at critical points in the game.  Of note, speedy CF Devin Seara tracked down many long fly balls that often cut short opposing teams rallies, along with the sure-handedness of IF Jack Randazzo.

The season was a wonderful success for many reasons!  The Fire is made up of a wonderful group of young players who brought their love of the game in all that they did, fueled in part by incredible fan support of family and friends, and fellow coaches who worked well together.  With every weekend that the team and the families spent together, it was clear that we were experiencing team sports at its best!  Special thanks need to go to Manager Tom LaScala, a true mentor of young people who adeptly balances teaching all the aspects of the game and sportsmanship! 

As we left the field for the last time last week, we are all looking forward to more fun-filled and exciting Fire baseball in 2014!