New City Generals 12u Team Wash Cars for Chance at Cooperstown Trip

The New City Generals 12u baseball team worked hard Sunday to raise money for the tournament of a lifetime. The fundraiser was a car wash at Gessel’s Service, from 10 a.m. to about 2 p.m., when it was cut two hours short due to a rain storm. 

The Cooperstown Field of Dreams tournament will take place this summer. The six-day event will include more than 100 teams from all over the U.S. Half way through the week, there will be a skills competition where athletes will compete in events named the King of Swat, Around the Horn Plus, Golden Arm and Road Runner.  

The tournament includes more than just competition. The teams will bring pins to the game for the boys to trade, so that each boy has a collection of pins from the teams he has played. Coach Joe Delgado describes the trade as “one of the things the kids enjoy the most." There will also be a ceremony where each player from every team is awarded his own gold ring, a memento he can hold on to forever. The ceremony will be followed by a fireworks show.

The teams record during the week will determine their seed in the final tournament. 

Though the tournament will be in Cooperstown, three and a half hours from New City, the games will be televised and available as webcasts. 

There is a six-week waiting list for this tournament. If they can raise the money to register the team this year, then the future 12U teams will not have to wait on a list. Otherwise, they are back to square one. “It’s hard to get on that list,” says Coach Joe Chillino.

The cost per kid is about $750. With additional expenses, including the cost of the pins and rings, it amounts to about $1,100 per athlete. “80 pins,” Delgado counts. “That’s $300 off the bat.” 

The coaches were thrilled to be offered such an opportunity, though they recognized the expense was too much to ask of parents. Instead, they saw the money needed as an opportunity in itself, an opportunity for the boys to learn a lesson about hard work. 

“There are some kids who can afford it but these are tough times,” said Delgado. “Whether the kids can afford it or not, we want them to earn it so they appreciate it more. This is a luxury.” 

The team was split into two shifts, a morning and an evening shift, to work the car wash. Even with the extreme heat and, later, the downpour, the kids stayed in high spirits. 

“It was so fun,” said Brian Lander, of New City. “In the rain we were all dancing around, singing and everything." His teammate Michael Fevola agreed. “It’s fun chucking the soap at everyone and cleaning the cars isn’t too bad.” Another player, Coach Joe Delgado’s son, Michael Delgado, confirmed that “throwing the sponges” was the highlight of the day. 

Don’t let their recreation fool you, however. The 12-year-old boys kept the prize in mind. Successful fundraisers are their ticket to the tournament. 

“Being with the team, sleeping in bunks, playing really good teams- it’s going to be a great experience,” said Brian. 

“I just want to show them that I can be the best I can be,” team captain Joe Joe Chillino answered. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance.” 

Joe Joe is used to offering the team pep talks during the games. “I say, ‘It’s just a game. Just have fun. If they can do it, we can do it.’” His advice will surely come in handy in Cooperstown.  

The Generals are currently being supported by private businesses like Gessel’s Service, Mandel, Katz & Brosnan, and Joe’s Towing. The team held a fundraising car wash last week as well. The boys still needcommunity support. They are holding a raffle; the drawing will take place Aug. 22.