The 12U team led by manager and head coach Dennis Covert is heading out on a 7-day road trip to Cooperstown, where they will participate in the annual Cooperstown Classic Baseball Tournament.
The annual tournament includes 104 teams from across the United States and Canada.
“This is a very exciting time for these players who have worked hard all season,” said Covert.
The tournament kicks off Saturday with opening ceremonies and a skills competition. The Generals will play six games over three days and then begin a single elimination playoff starting on Wednesday. The tournament culminates on Thursday evening with closing ceremonies including a ring ceremony, fireworks, the championship game and induction of all players into the American Youth Baseball Hall of Fame.
To pay for the trip, the team organized several fundraising events including a Garage Sale, Boulders Night at Provident Bank Park in Pomoan, and many coin drops. In addition, several fans from within the community provided very generous donations.
“It was an amazing team effort," said John Resciniti, the fundraising committee chairman. "These boys worked very hard to make their dream a reality. Hats off to everyone on this team and from all our community supporters. We can’t thank you enough.”
The team consists of 18 players from in and around Clarkstown. The team has played together all summer in nearly 30 games and will spend the next week at Cooperstown Dreams Park. Team members include Luke Beebe, Eli Brand, Harry Covert, Tyler Defino, Logan Epstein, Nick Fischetti, Peter Jung, Brandon Krinsky, Andy Lopez, Paul Prochnau, Drew Resciniti, Marc Ronda, Joe Salcce, Jason Schoolsky, Jacob Stern, Jason Strum, Nick Tauken and Charlie Wilen.
In addition to Covert, the coaching staff is comprised of Rob Epstein, Dwayne Defino, Tony Ronda, Mike Schoolsky and John Fischetti.
In their spare time, off the field, team members will spend time with family, visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame and get the most of the Cooperstown experience.
The team plays at 1:45 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Sunday, at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Monday, and 1:45 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Tuesday. Single-elimination finals start right after Tuesday's scheduled games.
