By Joseph Staszewski
Queens baseball players want to spread the word about the NYC Varsity fall league.
Holy Cross rising junior outfielder Christian Petraccione is one of those who is looking to do just that. He was at MCU Park, home of the Brooklyn Cyclones, in Coney Island July 31 hoping to earn a spot in the league for the second straight year. The experience of being coached by former major leaguers and being evaluated by pro scouts was something he wanted to be a part of a second time and is encouraging his teammates to do the same.
“I told them to come down here,” Petraccione said. “It’s a great experience.”
The NYC Varsity league is the brainchild of Gary Perone, director of new business for the Cyclones and an assistant scout for the New York Mets. The Major League Baseball-sponsored league provides incoming sophomore, junior and senior players with a unique experience. Approximately 70 kids are selected among what Perone expects to be about 300 trying out. They play double-headers on the weekend at either MCU or Richmond County Ballpark on Staten Island under the guidance of former pros like former Met closer John Franco, former Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twin Frank Rodriguez and John Halama, who pitched for the Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros.
“They are going to give the best experiences and the best development to the kids,” Perone said. “If we provide them with the best venues, then it’s going to be worthwhile for a kid to be part of the program.”
For kids like Aviation rising senior Junior Ramirez, the league gives him a chance to play baseball in the fall. The PSAL does not have a fall league unlike the CHSAA. Ramirez heard about the league from former teammates Elias Martinez, saw the tryout dates on the PSAL website and decided to give it a try.
“It’s exciting,” he said. “You don’t really get an opportunity to play like this.”
Playing fall ball in the CHSAA and varsity league is possible as Petraccione did it last season by accruing many hours on the diamond. He said it was tiring but worth it.
“I was like, ‘I’ll try it again,’” Petraccione said. “I liked how there were scouts.”
Perone doesn’t see his league competing with travel teams and fall ball squads, but complementing them. The players who take part get added exposure to local college coaches, some education about the recruitment process and expert eyes analyzing their games on top of the instruction they are receiving already.
A trip to Coney Island will earn players more than a Nathan’s hot dog and a ride on the Cyclone. They can just get those after a great baseball experience.
“There is a need for this in the city,” Perone said. “There definitely is.”
