See this story at BrooklynDaily.com.
By Joseph Staszewski
Brooklyn Daily
The NYC Varsity fall baseball league is aiming to build the brand of New York City baseball.
The league, now bolstered by a sponsorship from Major League baseball, is getting ready to begin its second season under the direction of Gary Perone, the director of new business for the Brooklyn Cyclones and an assistant scout for the New York Mets.
More than 60 players from across the city — who must be incoming sophomores, juniors, and seniors — turned out at MCU Park in Coney Island on Wednesday for the first of three tryouts to create the four to six teams that make up the league.
Perone is expecting 250–300 players to workout, up from 138 from last year— a sign the league has started to catch on and earn respect around the city.
“It’s nice to see it grow,” Perone said. “It is nice to see it’s not just an idea.”
His plan is to provide New York City players with the opportunity to get top-level instruction to help their development. Former major leaguers and Brooklyn natives John Franco of the Mets, Frank Rodriguez of the Red Sox and Twins, and former Astros and Mariners pitcher John Halama will be working with the teams during the season. Major league scouts were also at the workout evaluating talent and will be around during the fall.
“They are going to give the best experiences and the best development to the kids,” Perone said “If we provide them with the best venues then it’s going to be worthwhile for a kid to be part of the program.”
New Utrecht star pitcher Andrew Nathan agreed.
“I thought it was a great opportunity,” her said. “College coaches are going to be here — and scouts.”
There are two more tryouts scheduled — one in late August and another in early September right before the season kicks off. There were 70 players selected last year. They will play double headers on Saturday and Sunday at either MCU or Richmond County Bank Ballpark on Staten Island. Classroom instruction will also be given on fundamentals and techniques as well as injury prevention and preparation for the college recruiting process.
“Realistically, we know what it is going to take to get to the next level, whether it is college or the pros,” Rodriguez said.
The league is most beneficial to Public School Athletic League players who do not have a fall season. The Catholic High School League does have a league in the fall and that could make it more difficult for parochial schools’ top players to participate, though some have in the past.
Perone said he has worked closely with both leagues, along with the private schools. He also stressed that the NYC Varsity league’s increased focus on player development from high-level instructors differentiates it from travel ball teams. Participating in the league costs $250.
“This is not a showcase,” Perone said. “This is not something you are paying thousands of dollars to play in.”
Xaverian coach Frank Del George, who is helping out with the league, is going to try to schedule his fall league games during the week to allow his players to participate in the varsity league if they want. Travel ball players may also not have the time to take part.
“The only question is what kind of talent they are going to get in here because there are so many travel teams that play on the weekend and that is where you run into a problem.” Del George said.
Perone would love to attract more of the city’s top players, but his focus is more than that. He wants to build a league to provide city players with a chance to grow as players and further improve the level of baseball in the five boroughs.
“In the fall we need to continue to build our brand of baseball in New York.” Perone said. “If we don’t build our brand of baseball we will lose our brand of baseball in New York City.”
Reach reporter Joseph Staszewski at jstaszewski@cnglocal.com. Follow him on twitter @cng_staszewski.