Five middle schools in Queens planted their stake in one of the city’s fastest-growing youth sports programs on April 26, kicking off the 2009 New York City Middle School Baseball League with a record number of entrants.
Da Vinci (IS 61) in Corona, New Americans (IS 235) in Astoria, Renaissance (IS 192) in Hollis, Holmes (IS 204) in Long Island City, and Hughley (PS/IS 116) in Jamaica are among 29 intermediate schools in Queens, Manhattan, and the Bronx to participate in the free league this season, totaling over 500 players and 200 contests in all.
Not a bad improvement from last year, when the league started with 12 Manhattan middle schools, 200 players, and 70 total games.
The league is sponsored by the Pinnacle Group, a real estate management company, in conjunction with the NYC Department of Education, NYC Department of Parks & Recreation, and New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. While doubling in size as it did this past season will not always be plausible, the league intends to keep expanding.
“Playing baseball is almost a rite of passage during childhood,” said Joel Wiener, the company’s CEO. “Every kid should have the opportunity to put on a uniform and play on a baseball team, regardless of their economic background, skill level or geographic location. Our goal is to bring free baseball to all middle school children around the city.”
The task is not an easy one. Robert Schliessman, director of physical education and health at the Anderson School (PS 334) in Manhattan, developed a smaller version of the league in 2005 that required four teams to play on asphalt with limited equipment – and for players to pay for their uniforms.
The Pinnacle Group joined up with Schliessman to cover those expenses and to expand on his original plan. The result is a league for girls and boys from grades six through eight that ends with playoffs, borough championship games on June 11, and eventual matchups between Manhattan, Queens and Bronx titleholders.
Players sign an academic performance contract promising good grades, good behavior, and strong attendance, and teachers from their schools coach the teams. On April 28, New York Mets mascot Mr. Met threw out the ceremonial first pitch.
“We are working on all fronts to help the city’s young people become active and healthy, and this collaboration helps further that goal,” said Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe.
