Berkeley Heights Youth Baseball Team Heads to Cooperstown for National Tournament: A True Community Effort
By Michael Avallone,
2024-05-11
Credits: Courtesy of BH Cooperstown U12 team
“You could be a kid for as long as you want when you play baseball.” – Cal Ripken Jr., Hall of Famer
Youth sports has been a staple of America in some form – from the smallest towns to the largest cities – for more than a century. Berkeley Heights is certainly no exception, with baseball continuing a popular and ever-growing tradition of success in our town.
Youth baseball isn't just about teaching kids how to hit, pitch, and catch. It's about instilling valuable life skills like teamwork, discipline, and perseverance. It’s also an opportunity for kids to do what they do best: have fun with their friends.
As baseball seasons across the country get underway, one of our very own will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity later this summer. The Berkeley Heights 12U Travel team will be competing in the Cooperstown All-Star Village Tournament from July 31-Aug. 6. The event will take place at the state-of-the-art facilities in Cooperstown, NY, in the shadows of the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
For these young athletes, playing in Cooperstown is more than just a game; it's a chance to make memories and even new friendships that will last a lifetime. The tournament, which draws teams from all over the country, will provide an unparalleled experience for our local players to showcase their talent on a national stage.
The journey to Cooperstown has been a true team effort, with players and their families fundraising and rallying support from the community to help defray the exceptional cost of the weeklong tournament. A number of businesses have graciously donated to the boys’ cause.
These include: Bubakoo’s Burritos, Clemente’s Pizzeria, Country Farms Convenience Store Dimaio’s, Dr. Randy Lizardo, Dunkin’, GameChanger Fitness, Goodman’s Deli, Hop Hing, J Walker Salon, Kaliwa (Washington D.C.), Kumon, La Rosa Chicken & Grill, Liberty Transportation and Storage, Lifetime Fitness, LillySprouts Wellness, New Polished Nails & Spa, Rita’s Italian Ice, Robert Robinson Orthodontics, Smith Chiropractic, Sub Zone, Terrana Orthodontics and Vintage Tavern
The Berkeley Heights PAL has also helped facilitate and directly contributed to the team’s fundraising efforts, which will continue through the next few months.
Fundraising for youth baseball programs doesn't just benefit the players – it benefits the entire community. By rallying behind their local teams, community members show their support for youth development and athletic excellence. Fundraising events bring people together, fostering a sense of camaraderie and unity. They provide an opportunity for businesses to give back to the community and for individuals to make a tangible difference in the lives of young athletes.
It certainly can in the case of these boys, who are looking forward to representing Berkeley Heights in upstate New York this summer!
Berkeley Heights 12U Cooperstown Team:
Andrew Avallone Max Bussin Rocco DiGena Dylan Klinck Lucas Machin Ryan Mann Joe Miller AJ Raiti Ben Redente Emry Schwartz JJ Villanueva Anthony Xhelo
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