The boys, coaches and families trekked…
By Everett Fell
For only the second time in the Bayside Little League’s 50 years of existence, the 11- to 12-year-old boys’ team represented New York City in the New York State Little League Finals held this past weekend in Auburn.
The boys, coaches and families trekked five hours upstate for the festivities. The weekend’s outcome, however, did not mirror Bayside’s triumphant trip to the finals.
On Saturday afternoon, Levittown West erased a two-run deficit to defeat Bayside, 5-4. Bayside threatened to blow the game open in the bottom of the third. With one run already in during the inning and the score 4-2, Bayside had the bases loaded with nobody out. But Levittown pitcher Frank Vanderka struck out the next three batters to get out of the jam.
“That was the turning point of the game,” coach John Smith said. “The momentum changed. I knew we weren’t going to win the game.”
Levittown plated one in the fourth and then stole the lead in the fifth when Smith pulled pitcher Jorge Ynoa with runners on first and second with no out. John Apostolo came in, and after striking out the next two batters allowed two runs in when Ynoa fumbled a ball at short and missed the runner by half a foot.
“We came out flat and played scared,” Smith said. “We played not to lose instead of playing to win. You can’t do that against a team like Levittown. One mistake and you are done.”
Bayside then played Vestal on Sunday in the double elimination tournament. Led by pitcher Tim Kuchera, who struck out four and walked none, Vestal sent Bayside home with a 4-2 loss.
Bayside once again allowed a lead to slip away. Ynoa hit a two-run home run in the top of the fourth to give Bayside a 2-1 advantage. Vestal bounced back when pinch hitter Brian Tompkins hit a fortuitous double down the left field line.
“The ball hit right on the line,” Smith said. “You could see the chalk fly up.”
Instead of wondering what could have been, Smith and the boys know of the amazing feats they accomplished. Bayside stormed through District 26 with relative ease by defeating Glen Oaks, Forest Hills and Elmjack — a team made up of players from Jackson Heights, Elmhurst and Astoria.
Then in the city playoffs, Bayside blanked a Brooklyn team from District 25, which shocked a Staten Island team the night before, 10-0.
“That was their championship game,” Smith said. “No one expected them to beat Staten Island.”
The Staten Island team already booked hotels in Auburn, expecting to emerge champions among the 12-year-old city teams.
Bayside then once again blanked their opponent in the semifinals by beating Elmsford, 11-0. Matthew Valle hit three home runs and drove in five runs in the shortened game. Ynoa retired all 12 batters he faced.
Bayside finally met a worthy competitor in the championship game. Bayside trailed New Rochelle 3-0 in the top of the fourth when Derek LaMacchia hit a line drive, three-run home run to tie the score.
“Derek struggled the whole tournament, but he’s a solid No. 5 hitter,” Smith said. “He definitely hit a shot, but originally I didn’t think it was high enough to leave the park.”
LaMacchia’s shot sent the fans into a frenzy. The crowd and the coach sensed a championship.
Joe Marden’s two-run single in the sixth conferred Smith’s hunch. Bayside added one more on a bases-loaded walk to make the final 6-3, earning them a berth in the State Finals. Despite losses, the boys enjoyed a fabulous weekend.
“We went beyond anybody’s wildest dreams,” Smith said. “I have been coaching these kids since they were 8. We made it far because they all get along with each other. This weekend was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the kids, their families and the coaches.”
