AUBURN - Just as the days of summer seem to fly by all too soon, so do the days of Auburn Little League Baseball.
Historically the season has come to end by early August, but for two years now, the season has been pushed out a little further, extending into fall baseball.
Jim Musso, who has helped to organize the program for the past two years, said the creation of fall ball seemed like the logical extension of the regular season.
“September is a great month to play baseball,” Musso said. “This way the kids can get together and play a few games and still go home and watch the Yankees. The main idea was just to do something that would be fun and make the season last a little longer.”
When the program started last year no one was certain how it would be received, but the results were surprising.
“We figured we'd just see how it goes,” Musso said. “That first year we had 40 or 50 players, it was a really good turnout. We were really happy with the response we got and from there we knew this was something we wanted to continue this year.”
And the program has grown by leaps and bounds, with the attendance more than doubling.
“We've expanded to include (Cayuga County) kids,” Musso said. “So we've got kids coming form Jordan-Elbridge, Port Byron, Auburn - all over. This year we have between 80 and 90 kids playing. I think it was word of mouth that really helped. I think kids went and told their friends and that helped. There are a lot of kids that don't play football so they don't really have a fall sport to play and this gives them something they can get involved with.”
Musso said with the number of kids taking an interest in fall ball, it has allowed the program to expand and find more support within the community.
“We've got some great sponsors that help us out,” Musso said. “They have been a great help. With their help we've been able to get the kids shirts, which has been really nice. This year we've been able to keep the concession stand open too. We are also getting a lot of support from the parents. It is great to see, we have as many parents out to watch their kids learn as there are for the games. And of course our coaches, they are all volunteer, giving their time to this. All around we have received a lot of support.”
This display of interest has allowed the program to create eight teams that meet twice a week.
Thursdays are dedicated to clinics hosted by local high school coaches, focusing on a variety of skills and fundamentals.
“We've received a lot of support form the coaches,” Musso said. “They are really great about giving their time and coming down to help out with what we are doing.”
Among those who have been avid supporters is Moravia High School varsity baseball coach Rich Valentino.
Valentino said that at one time or another, all three of his children have played in the Auburn Little League program, from the Boys and Girls League on up.
“It is nice to be able to give something back,” Valentino said. “The program has been great. My son Justin, who is 10, is playing now. I think this is a really good program and I'm glad to be able to help out and lend them some support.”
In his clinics, Valentino has focused on the fundamentals, setting up six different stations with three focused on hitting, while the other three focused on defense.
“Some of these kids probably haven't picked up a ball since the season ended a few weeks ago,” Valentino said. “So I thought a good way to start out would be with the fundamentals, just work on the basics of hitting and playing defense and get them used to playing again.”
But there are some deeper lessons that Valentino has also tried to instill.
“It is supposed to be about fun,” Valentino said. “It can be competitive, but this is a good way to learn. In baseball there is a lot of failure that is part of the game for everyone, so a big part of what I try to do is just remind the kids that this is supposed to be fun.”
From skills to attitude, Musso believes what these coaches can teach the kids is invaluable.
“I think this is a great experience for these kids,” Musso said. “This is a good chance to learn a lot that they can take with them and practice and help them become better players, but it is also a chance for them to have some fun while they are learning in a less competitive environment.”
Saturday afternoons, the kids get to take what they've learned and hit the field for an afternoon of games.
“It isn't as intense as the regular season,” Musso said. “We have (umpires) and keep score, but it isn't as competitive. This gives kids a chance to try new things like pitching or catching and other things they might not try during the regular season. That is the whole idea, just to get together and have some fun and learn a little bit more about the game of baseball at the same time.”
Jim Musso, who has helped to organize the program for the past two years, said the creation of fall ball seemed like the logical extension of the regular season.
“September is a great month to play baseball,” Musso said. “This way the kids can get together and play a few games and still go home and watch the Yankees. The main idea was just to do something that would be fun and make the season last a little longer.”
When the program started last year no one was certain how it would be received, but the results were surprising.
“We figured we'd just see how it goes,” Musso said. “That first year we had 40 or 50 players, it was a really good turnout. We were really happy with the response we got and from there we knew this was something we wanted to continue this year.”
And the program has grown by leaps and bounds, with the attendance more than doubling.
“We've expanded to include (Cayuga County) kids,” Musso said. “So we've got kids coming form Jordan-Elbridge, Port Byron, Auburn - all over. This year we have between 80 and 90 kids playing. I think it was word of mouth that really helped. I think kids went and told their friends and that helped. There are a lot of kids that don't play football so they don't really have a fall sport to play and this gives them something they can get involved with.”
Musso said with the number of kids taking an interest in fall ball, it has allowed the program to expand and find more support within the community.
“We've got some great sponsors that help us out,” Musso said. “They have been a great help. With their help we've been able to get the kids shirts, which has been really nice. This year we've been able to keep the concession stand open too. We are also getting a lot of support from the parents. It is great to see, we have as many parents out to watch their kids learn as there are for the games. And of course our coaches, they are all volunteer, giving their time to this. All around we have received a lot of support.”
This display of interest has allowed the program to create eight teams that meet twice a week.
Thursdays are dedicated to clinics hosted by local high school coaches, focusing on a variety of skills and fundamentals.
“We've received a lot of support form the coaches,” Musso said. “They are really great about giving their time and coming down to help out with what we are doing.”
Among those who have been avid supporters is Moravia High School varsity baseball coach Rich Valentino.
Valentino said that at one time or another, all three of his children have played in the Auburn Little League program, from the Boys and Girls League on up.
“It is nice to be able to give something back,” Valentino said. “The program has been great. My son Justin, who is 10, is playing now. I think this is a really good program and I'm glad to be able to help out and lend them some support.”
In his clinics, Valentino has focused on the fundamentals, setting up six different stations with three focused on hitting, while the other three focused on defense.
“Some of these kids probably haven't picked up a ball since the season ended a few weeks ago,” Valentino said. “So I thought a good way to start out would be with the fundamentals, just work on the basics of hitting and playing defense and get them used to playing again.”
But there are some deeper lessons that Valentino has also tried to instill.
“It is supposed to be about fun,” Valentino said. “It can be competitive, but this is a good way to learn. In baseball there is a lot of failure that is part of the game for everyone, so a big part of what I try to do is just remind the kids that this is supposed to be fun.”
From skills to attitude, Musso believes what these coaches can teach the kids is invaluable.
“I think this is a great experience for these kids,” Musso said. “This is a good chance to learn a lot that they can take with them and practice and help them become better players, but it is also a chance for them to have some fun while they are learning in a less competitive environment.”
Saturday afternoons, the kids get to take what they've learned and hit the field for an afternoon of games.
“It isn't as intense as the regular season,” Musso said. “We have (umpires) and keep score, but it isn't as competitive. This gives kids a chance to try new things like pitching or catching and other things they might not try during the regular season. That is the whole idea, just to get together and have some fun and learn a little bit more about the game of baseball at the same time.”
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