Modell's Honors Colts Baseball Champs

The county champion Calhoun Colts baseball team went on a remarkable run this year that featured a trip to the Long Island championship game, where they ultimately fell to Lindenhurst.

However, the effects of their triumphant season are still being felt around the community. On Wednesday, Modell's Sporting Goods in Freeport invited the team to its store so it could honor the sluggers for their success.

Several members of the team assembled in the back of Modell's at 6 p.m. and were rewarded with free pizza and Gatorade, as well as coupons to the store.

"It was very nice of Modell's to honor us with a pizza party and get the kids together again," coach Mike Marino said. "It lets the kids know that the community is looking out for them."

The festivities were arranged by Bobby Jackson, who has been working as a community ambassador for Modell's for 12 years.

"I think it's important to recognize the success of any team," Jackson said. "We're trying to discourage kids of getting involved in negative things, and I think sports give a sense of fair play and teamwork and camaraderie."

Even with the success, some of the players were a bit surprised at all of the attention that they have been receiving.

"The more time that passes, the more I realize how much we accomplished," Jake Thomas said. "Everybody around the town has been telling us that we had a great season."

Others were just happy to be together again.

"It's nice to be back with the entire team again," Joe Christopher said. "It feels good to reunite and it's nice that the community is doing this for us."

However, they couldn't help but to reflect on that final game and what could have been had they defeated Lindenhurst in the Long Island championship game.

"We were so close in that game," Thomas said. "Had we came back and won it, I think we would have won states."

Nonetheless, as the team indulged in their free pizza, they were well aware of what their success has meant for their community, and are more determined than ever to come back next year and do it all again.

"We still have a bunch of juniors and sophomores on the team, so we're all going to come back together," Christopher said. "I know we'll have another great season next year."

Hopefully, if they're lucky, it'll end in free pizza once again.