Under the Light in the Bronx

By Rich Mancuso/Sports Editor

Organized baseball in the Bronx is not accustomed to being played under the lights. Most of the kids and sandlot leagues are usually on the beat up diamonds of fields around the borough where they compete under the hot sun during the weekend.

But two Little League fields, and with the ability to have various sponsors, give the kids experience of playing under the lights. The Throgs Neck Little League off the far end of East Tremont Avenue and the Castle Hill Little League off Commerce Avenue in the Zerega section showcased their best Wednesday night in a District Tournament championship game.

There were the parents on the far reaches of the field that also assist with fundraising and concessions. And the coaches, all volunteers who are vocal and just as competitive as the kids.

The 14-year old and younger championship game had a few errors and long balls hit to the outfield.  And a coach was thrown out of the game for quietly disputing an infield call on the bases. The umpires felt they had it right and the coach, as is the rule, had to leave the playing area and watch the rest of game outside from the fences.

Throgs Neck would win 6-4 and advance to the next regional. They win there, and the road to the Little League World Series begins….

Before the first pitch was thrown the National Anthem was played over a sound system as the glaring lights illuminated a baseball field in the Bronx.

Prior to the game, nearby T M Baseball Training Academy, that works in coordination with Castle Hill conducted a two-hour clinics for youngsters of both leagues. Tony Melendez and his staff drilled youngsters on preparation, fielding, running, and hitting.

Yes, it was a night of baseball under the lights in the Bronx and free baseball with the New York Yankees on hiatus with the All-Star break.

Comment Rich Mancuso Ring786@aol.com  Twitter@Ring786  Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso

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