The Bulldogs faced some tough opponents, such as the…
By The TimesLedger
The Glen Park Bulldogs returned from Cooperstown, New York tired, but full of stories and memories of their participation in a week-long tournament in the town that houses the Baseball Hall of Fame.
The Bulldogs faced some tough opponents, such as the Side-Winders from Texas, The Elkridge Hurricanes from Maryland and the Tinley Park Bobcats from Illinois and even though Glen Park was unable to put together a win, the Bulldogs played with spirit and pride.
From the opening parade and ceremonies, the team shared an experience that they will remember forever. The manicured fields, the home-run hitting contest, trading pins with other teams, and the team barracks will become special places that they will always look back upon with smiling faces and heartfelt emotions. The boys have all grown up a little more this past week since, for many of them, this was their first time away from home and their parents.
Manager, Bob Kruczowy and coaches, Rich Biscotti and Dave Pabon had several goals in mind when this Cooperstown team was assembled some 14 months ago. Those goals were to give these kids a chance to play ball at a higher level than they were accustomed, to allow them to interact with other kids from across the nation and to have some fun.
Those goals were met Wednesday night after the team had just been knocked out of the tournament in another tough loss when, instead of wanting to go with their parents and spend the rest of the evening with their families, the boys all decided to stay with the coaches and have their last night together in the barracks which, for five days, had been home.
Thursday night was the championship game and the teams’ ring ceremonies, which left an indelible impression on Kruczowy.
“As I took the podium to announce our players one by one, thoughts of the close games that slipped away became a blur,” Kruczowy said. “The smiles on our boys faces as they ran out to second base to accept their rings became forever etched in my mind and I knew all our hard work had paid off. This was their big win.
“I would like to thank all of our parents who cheered us on even in defeat. I would like to thank Hector Caraballo and Modells for all their support. Also Assemblyman Mark Weprin and Councilman David Weprin, John Hurley of Gold’s Financial, Steve Piesner of Jiffy Lube Inc., W&W Cleaning Services and Night Marketing Inc.” he added.
Burger King, McDonald’s, The Hillside Paint Depot, Carvel of Floral Park, and Jeff Wheeler of Minuteman Press of Franklin Square were instrumental in helping the team raise needed funds to make this Cooperstown dream a reality.
“Last, but by no means least, I would like to thank Dave, Rich and our wives, who were always there no matter how many hours we spent down at the fields practicing,” Kruczowy said.
