This Week's Spotlight: Nanuet LL 9-Year-Old All Stars

Team: Nanuet Little League Nine Year Old All Star Team
Head Coach: Todd Jones
Assistant Coaches: Martin DeSapio and Chris MacRobbie

These All Stars are turning into super stars in the post-season tournament play. As of Monday night they have seven wins, one loss.

To create the nine year old All Star team, the league asks the managers and peers from the Triple A division to evaluate the boys. Based on the ranking of the evaluation, 13 players are chosen to compete in the post season All Star tournament, playing teams from all over Rockland.

The first tournament they played in was hosted by West Nyack Little League. They won three games and lost in a heart-breaker to Pearl River in the semi-finals. Haverstraw went on to win the West Nyack Tournament.

The boys then began the Billy Kayser Memorial Tournament where they are currently 4-0. Semi finals were Tuesday night and finals are Wednesday. In this tournament they had three very close and exciting games against Stony Point and Haverstraw.

The Stony Point game went into extra-innings and had all the boys and their fans on the edge of their seats.

For Nicholas Russo and Dylan Jones this was one of the best experiences in the All Stars.

"(My best experience was) playing Stony Point when we were tied 5-5 in extra innings and I got a hit that scored the go-ahead run. Then we held them," said Dylan Jones of his favorite play. 

Some of the boys agreed that the Stony Point game had some of the best and most memorable plays made by their teammates.

"The best play was when Billy DeSapio caught a fast line drive down the third base line and ended the game for a win," agreed both Frankie McCabe and Tyler Nicholson.

A sure sign of these players coming together as a team was when they out-played Stony Point, winning the game and advancing them in the tournament.

"My Favorite play was when Chris Falborn made and amazing catch in the outfield during the win against Stony Point," said Vinny Nicolucci.

Billy DeSapio agreed, adding, "It was their best player and if he missed it they would have gotten runs in."

The real innocence of these boys can be heard in each one of their description of the most exciting plays of the tournaments.

"I was playing right field and a ball was hit in my direction and I had a good jump on the ball but it was still out of my reach.  I extended my arm across my body and reached as far as I could and made the catch.  I looked in my glove and couldn't believe I caught it," said Chris Falborn.

Could you imagine how exciting that is to a nine/ten year old? A memory that will last a lifetime.

Brendan Mackin will remember the game against South Orangetown.

"I was pitching against South Orangetown. It was the last inning and the batter hit a really hard line drive right at me and I caught it! We went on to win 13 - 2. I pitched a complete game, 49 pitches, and it was my birthday! The best birthday ever," said Mackin.

Of course the boys are ecstatic that they beat Haverstraw, a fierce competitor, twice in the Billy Kayser tournament. Haverstraw was the team that won the West Nyack Tournament. The boys take pride in knowing that they beat the best of the first tournament.

"Beating Haverstraw twice because they won first place in the West Nyack tournament," was one of Dylan Jones favorite experiences in the All Stars.

Standout players Vinny Nicolucci and Chris Surace made an all star play against Haverstraw.

"My favorite play was the throw to second base by Vinny Nicolucci to me to throw out a Haverstraw player trying to steal second base.  It was the first out of the sixth inning in a close game we ended up winning 4-3," said Chris Surace.

The fielding by this All Star team is outstanding. Sometimes the boys surprise themselves by what they can accomplish. But the hitting cannot be overlooked. Runs scored wins games. And this team knows how to do it.

Consistent and outstanding hitting performances by Jack Peterson combined with Vinny Nicolucci, Dylan Jones and Matt Riley at the plate is making this team unstoppable. In the game against Haverstraw, Peterson, made a heads up play by stealing home and tying the score. Then Benjamin Beal had key up at bat for Nanuet, scoring the winning run on a walk against Haverstraw.

But it's not just a few who are outstanding they all are strong and dedicated players.

"Everyone of these boys have contributed to the overall success. They are a great group of boys, with very supportive parents. They get along tremendously well on and off the field," said Manager Todd Jones.

The 2012 Nine Year Old Nanuet Little League All Stars are:

• Vinny Nicolucci
• Dylan Jones
• Brendan Mackin
• Ryan MacRobbie
• Christopher Surace
• Christopher Falborn
• Billy DeSapio
• Matt Riley
• Nick Russo
• Frankie McCabe
• Jack Peterson
• Benjamin Beal
• Tyler Nicholson
• Adam Dingman*

*Adam Dingman was selected to the team, but due to injury, has not been able to participate.

Coach Jones hit the nail on the head and the same feeling that every player is a huge contributor to the team resonates with each of these boys.

"My favorite part of the games are when we are behind and with good fielding and good hits we bring us ahead for a win. I'm very happy with the our team," said Matt Riley.

When each player has confidence and knows how to play their position, the team comes together as one and is able to conquer the competition.

Nanuet has a strong bullpen. With a pitching lineup rotating mainly Benjamin Beal, Matt Riley, Billy DeSapio, Brendan Mackin, and Vinny Nicolucci. Strong, consistent contributions made by all of them.

"It felt great standing on the mound. I had no pressure because I had good players behind me. We were having fun together. Let's Go Nanuet," said Billy DeSapio.

Fun! That's the key word. These boys began their first All Star tournament July 8. For two weeks prior they had intense baseball practices. 

"The best part of this team is playing baseball all summer because we keep winning and moving on," said Ryan MacRobbie.

Congratulations to this year's winning nine year old All Star team. You are representing Nanuet and making your community proud. Best of luck in the playoff games for the Billy Kayser Tournament. Stay posted with the Nanuet Patch for the outcome of last night's semi-final game and tonight's final game for the Billy Kayser Tournament.

Kudos to the manager, coaches, parents and families who have dedicated half their summer to support their boys' passion for baseball.

Go Nanuet! Let's Play Ball!