Port to Face Manhasset at Minor League Ballpark

Playing in a professional stadium is probably the closest a baseball player gets to sports heaven. Each blade of grass is as perfect as the next, the crack of the bat echoes throughout the stadium, and just to stand in the batter's box is a true paradise. Now imagine going from playing your homes games at an elementary school to playing one at a professional stadium. It just got even better, right?

The Schreiber Vikings varsity baseball team will get that chance this afternoon when it faces off against the Manhasset Indians at MCU Park, home of the Brooklyn Cyclones.

Many Vikings players said the idea of playing in a stadium that houses professional baseball players, albeit minor leaguers, just adds to the excitement of the game.

"Being able to play in a stadium with big stands, a public address system, a big scoreboard, real bullpens and dugouts, and a perfectly cut and groomed field is something I'm really looking forward to," center fielder Kyle Featherston said. "I am lucky I will be able to do it for the second time."

That second time the speedy outfielder is referring to is Port's matchup last season with Cold Spring Harbor at Richmond County Stadium, home of the Staten Island Yankees. Schreiber won the game and Featherston had an RBI single.

You might wonder how a bunch of high school baseball players can be so lucky to have the opportunity to play in a professional stadium, not once but twice. And it all starts back home. Cyclones Assistant General Manager Kevin Mahoney went to Schreiber and played for Vikings assistant coach Joe DelGais. Head coach Matt Holzer said Mahoney contacted DelGais and asked if the school was interested in playing there in 2010.

"We thought it would be a good idea to invite Manhasset to play us there," Holzer said. "With Manhasset being so close to Port, we would like to try and play them every year as way to build up a little rivalry. And what better way to build a rivalry then to play them in a minor league stadium."

What better way indeed. The players are definitely pumped up for the game, especially third baseman Ethan Sander. Sander said he has played at MCU Park before and that it's an amazing venue.

"I got to play in a summer league all-star game in the Brooklyn stadium and had a great time," Sander said. "Any time you play on such a nice field where professionals play is great."

Holzer told his team after its 4-3 win over Farmindale on Thursday that everyone will play in the game. "Everyone will play because it's only fair being that it'll be in a pro stadium," the coach said. "It's going to be fun."

Sander said he agrees with his coach's philosophy. "This game is a little more than just another game," he said. "While we will definitely play to win, it is also about having fun and having a nice experience in such a nice stadium."