Trying to make it farther than ever before, the Auburn 10- and 11-year-old Little League All-Star team is moving on to play the final game of the New York Sectional Tournament today at Mark Twain Field in Elmira.
Sam Tenney / The Citizen
Mike Charles, coach of Auburn's 10- and 11-year-old All-Stars, speaks to the team before Monday's practice at Emerson Park. The team is playing today in Elmira for the chance to advance to the state final four in the Bronx.
Mike Charles, coach of Auburn's 10- and 11-year-old All-Stars, speaks to the team before Monday's practice at Emerson Park. The team is playing today in Elmira for the chance to advance to the state final four in the Bronx.
“Last year we lost to Brighton in the final game of sectionals,” coach Mike Charles said. “This year we are hoping to make it to the final four which has never been done in this league.”
Auburn, which will play the winner of Monday's game between Mel Ott and Fayetteville-Manlius, defeated Dunkirk, 16-3 and Wellsville, 10-0 in the first two rounds after winning the District 5 championship two weeks ago. The team goes into today's game confident and in a good position with their two best arms fresh.
“We still have our best pitcher to put out there,” Coach Charles said. “Last year we had already used our best pitcher and we got beat.”
Their ace is Mike Charles who has quite a lofty goal set for himself.
“I want to pitch a complete game shutout,” Charles said. “I get really pumped before the game and I am going to try my hardest.”
Charles pitched two innings in the game against Dunkirk and has been saving his arm for the title game. Also a shortstop, Charles has learned a lot and is determined to play baseball through college.
“I want to continue playing,” Charles said. “I want to go to college at California State University Long Beach because they have a good baseball program and the weather is nice.”
Playing since he was 6, Charles has always had his father to coach him along the way.
“I look up to my dad,” Charles said. “He has taught me everything. If we win the state championship my dad would be the second coach to do that in Auburn. That is what I really want for the team.”
A victory today would take them to the final four in the Bronx which is what they have worked all season for.
“We have practiced every day since June 16,” coach Charles said. “We have the best possible opportunity to win that we could have. I couldn't ask for anything better. It gives me goose bumps that we are competing at this level.”
Coach Charles has been coaching baseball for four years and has played the sport since he was a youngster. Coaching this age level is especially rewarding for Charles for many reasons, especially because the boys are at a learning level.
“They are very impressionable, very eager to learn,” coach Charles said. “Baseball is only played for a limited amount of days in this area and I try to take advantage of it and play as many days as possible and these kids love that. They are very hard workers.”
One of the hard-working All-Stars is second baseman Matt Netti who is a little nervous about the finals.
“We have to go out there and play our best to beat them,” Netti said. “I am always a little nervous the closer we get to the game but as soon as the first pitch is thrown I get into the game and forget about being nervous.”
Kevin DiCola pitched a no-hitter against Wellsville Sunday to propel the All-Stars to the title game and is looking forward to today's match-up.
“I am going to try my best to not make any errors and field the ball,” DiCola said. “Before the game we always talk about having fun and the mental part of the game. Coach says that it's like taking a test and as long as we practice hard and don't fool around we can ace it like studying for a math test. I am going to really focus when the pitch is coming and be ready in the field. When I'm at bat I am going to be aggressive.”
Those pre-game discussions are just part of coach Charles' method of making better ballplayers and strengthening the future of Auburn's baseball program.
“In this area baseball took a nose-dive in the interest of kids for a little while,” coach Charles said. “It seemed to go to the wayside to lacrosse and video games. Now it has reemerged from good coaching, especially with coaches like Maroons' head coach T.J. Gamba and his assistant Tom Napoli. They have turned the program around. I want to get these kids ready to play for them because they are excellent coaches. The kids on this team are athletically gifted and if I can give them a little advantage before they get to high school maybe it will help the success of the Auburn High School baseball team. The mental game is a part that is not practiced enough, I try to instill a piece of that in their minds along with the fundamentals.”
Members of the Auburn Little League All-Star team include Mike Charles, Hunter Charles, DiCola, Netti, Justin Valentino, Jack Burgmaster, Tommy Herbert, Brandon Delf, Noah Christiantelli, Max Pinchak and Trenton Ward.
The players are looking forward to making history in the league. Plus, with Mike Charles on the mound, coach Charles is confident Auburn won't be an easy out come game time.
“If we come out there and play our best and they beat us then good for them,” coach Charles said. “My hat will go off to them, but I think we have a really good chance at this and we are going out there strong.”
Auburn, which will play the winner of Monday's game between Mel Ott and Fayetteville-Manlius, defeated Dunkirk, 16-3 and Wellsville, 10-0 in the first two rounds after winning the District 5 championship two weeks ago. The team goes into today's game confident and in a good position with their two best arms fresh.
“We still have our best pitcher to put out there,” Coach Charles said. “Last year we had already used our best pitcher and we got beat.”
Their ace is Mike Charles who has quite a lofty goal set for himself.
“I want to pitch a complete game shutout,” Charles said. “I get really pumped before the game and I am going to try my hardest.”
Charles pitched two innings in the game against Dunkirk and has been saving his arm for the title game. Also a shortstop, Charles has learned a lot and is determined to play baseball through college.
“I want to continue playing,” Charles said. “I want to go to college at California State University Long Beach because they have a good baseball program and the weather is nice.”
Playing since he was 6, Charles has always had his father to coach him along the way.
“I look up to my dad,” Charles said. “He has taught me everything. If we win the state championship my dad would be the second coach to do that in Auburn. That is what I really want for the team.”
A victory today would take them to the final four in the Bronx which is what they have worked all season for.
“We have practiced every day since June 16,” coach Charles said. “We have the best possible opportunity to win that we could have. I couldn't ask for anything better. It gives me goose bumps that we are competing at this level.”
Coach Charles has been coaching baseball for four years and has played the sport since he was a youngster. Coaching this age level is especially rewarding for Charles for many reasons, especially because the boys are at a learning level.
“They are very impressionable, very eager to learn,” coach Charles said. “Baseball is only played for a limited amount of days in this area and I try to take advantage of it and play as many days as possible and these kids love that. They are very hard workers.”
One of the hard-working All-Stars is second baseman Matt Netti who is a little nervous about the finals.
“We have to go out there and play our best to beat them,” Netti said. “I am always a little nervous the closer we get to the game but as soon as the first pitch is thrown I get into the game and forget about being nervous.”
Kevin DiCola pitched a no-hitter against Wellsville Sunday to propel the All-Stars to the title game and is looking forward to today's match-up.
“I am going to try my best to not make any errors and field the ball,” DiCola said. “Before the game we always talk about having fun and the mental part of the game. Coach says that it's like taking a test and as long as we practice hard and don't fool around we can ace it like studying for a math test. I am going to really focus when the pitch is coming and be ready in the field. When I'm at bat I am going to be aggressive.”
Those pre-game discussions are just part of coach Charles' method of making better ballplayers and strengthening the future of Auburn's baseball program.
“In this area baseball took a nose-dive in the interest of kids for a little while,” coach Charles said. “It seemed to go to the wayside to lacrosse and video games. Now it has reemerged from good coaching, especially with coaches like Maroons' head coach T.J. Gamba and his assistant Tom Napoli. They have turned the program around. I want to get these kids ready to play for them because they are excellent coaches. The kids on this team are athletically gifted and if I can give them a little advantage before they get to high school maybe it will help the success of the Auburn High School baseball team. The mental game is a part that is not practiced enough, I try to instill a piece of that in their minds along with the fundamentals.”
Members of the Auburn Little League All-Star team include Mike Charles, Hunter Charles, DiCola, Netti, Justin Valentino, Jack Burgmaster, Tommy Herbert, Brandon Delf, Noah Christiantelli, Max Pinchak and Trenton Ward.
The players are looking forward to making history in the league. Plus, with Mike Charles on the mound, coach Charles is confident Auburn won't be an easy out come game time.
“If we come out there and play our best and they beat us then good for them,” coach Charles said. “My hat will go off to them, but I think we have a really good chance at this and we are going out there strong.”
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