Young players get baseball tips from pros

The Greater New York Sandlot Athletic Alliance (GNYSAA) based in Long Island City recently held its second annual Lou DeMartino Memorial Christmas Baseball Clinic at John Jay College.
More than 200 youngsters from local high schools and sandlot organizations throughout the Greater New York area attended the clinic to receive instruction from a number of coaches and scouts - many of whom work for college teams as well as Major League Baseball teams.
“This past Saturday at John Jay College was another banner day for our organization,” said Lou Santos, who spearheaded the efforts for the clinic. “It was the most encompassing event that we have done in a long time.
DeMartino was the former legendary Hall-of-Fame baseball coach who led the John Jay College Bloodhounds to 424 wins in 27 seasons. DeMartino retired following the 1999 season and passed away on February 1, 2002 at the age of 62. DeMartino operated this clinic for many years through the goodness of his heart and, the GNYSAA is doing it again in his honor.
“The GNYSAA is perhaps the largest and most prestigious baseball community minded organization in America given the fact that we are truly a not for profit organization and that all our members are not paid,” Santos said. “In fact, when you look at other organizations, none can boast that they are entirely volunteer. The GNYSAA truly is and that is what sets it apart.”
The New York Mets Foundation, Major League Baseball, and local fund raising supports the GNYSAA. Contributions to the Greater New York Sandlot Athletic Alliance are tax deductible.
To make equipment or monetary donations to the GNYSAA please contact Thomas Sylvester at 718-392-7932, Ext. 239, tsylvester@ymcanyc.org or mail to 32-23 Queens Blvd, LIC, NY 11101.