YMCA Jr. Mets trained by real Mets

The Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), in conjunction with the New York Mets, is giving children a truly rare opportunity over an eight week period.
Starting on Friday, August 8, 80 Jr. Mets from the Long Island City YMCA waited excitedly on the grass of a baseball field in Queensbridge Park for their heroes to arrive. The group erupted into cheers when they spotted New York Mets outfielder Endy Chavez and relief pitcher Carlos Muniz arriving to teach them the fundamentals of baseball and impart the kind of wisdom about the sport only a professional can.
YMCA Jr. Mets is an eight week youth baseball program that helps develop athletic and social skills, while simultaneously reinforcing the YMCA’s core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.
“I was in the YMCA when I was a kid and that experience meant a lot to me,” said Muniz. “It’s good to come back and give my knowledge to them, and hopefully by doing this I can inspire them to also give back when they’re older, not necessarily in the realm of sports but just in general.”
The Jr. Mets split into two groups, one learned the basics of hitting from Chavez, who helped correct their stances and level their swings, the other learned how to hold a baseball and the proper pitching delivery from Muniz. Rain interrupted the event and forced the children to reluctantly leave the field and seek shelter under the trees. However, the rain soon stopped and the Jr. Mets took the field with the pros once again shortly after the storm.
“I never had an opportunity to do something like this,” Chavez said. “I didn’t have the chance to meet players growing up, so to do this for the kids is something very special to me. I do these things because it brings me joy to see the kids having such a good time.”