Connetquot Chiefs Schedule

10U CONNETQUOT CHIEFS GO TO DISNEY

The Connetquot Chiefs 10U travel team flew down to Orlando, Florida to participate in Disney’s “Turn Back the Clock” tournament over the Labor Day weekend. Players, coaches and families were all excited about the prospect of playing teams from as far away as Louisiana and Puerto Rico, and the opportunity to play on the major league quality fields used by the Atlanta Braves organization at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex.

The trip turned out to be more fun and exciting then could have been imagined. Not only did the team get the opportunity to play some very talented teams and experience some of the best quality fields they may ever play on, but everybody on the trip had some great times getting together at the Disney parks, playing in the pool, or just sitting around and hanging out as one big “family”.

The groundwork for the trip started way back at the beginning of the year and a fundraiser held at McGuire’s Comedy Club back in February to help offset some of the costs. The team was set and travel arrangements were being made. Yet the most difficult part still lay ahead…..Waiting for the date to come.

The spring and summer seasons passed and the date had finally arrived. It was Disney Time! The team traveled to Florida at various dates and times, but by Thursday afternoon all the players and their families met up at Disney’s All Star Resort. It didn’t take long for everybody to slip into their bathing suits and meet at the pool side. As the players enjoyed fun in the pool the parents congregated at the pool side tables for some good conversation. It wasn’t only time for baseball, it was also time for some FUN! With all the excitement and fun being had by all it was difficult to say goodnight as the Chiefs would play their first game of the tournament on Friday morning.

Each morning a full size Disney bus waited curbside to take the team and their equipment to the Wide World of Sports complex. The Chiefs faced off against the Connecticut Diamond Kings, the Dugout Dawgs from Massachusetts, the Miami Thunder and Puerto Rico Cardinals.

Despite playing well at times, the tournament ended without a Chiefs win. But the losses did not linger long in the minds of the players they visited the Disney parks, played in the pool and played pick up football games that lasted well into the evening. It was a four or five days of fun for everyone.

The Chiefs learned some valuable lessons about hustle and sportsmanship. Players, families and fans stood up and applauded the team from Puerto Rico as the Chiefs bat boy came to the plate with two outs in the 6 th inning in a game that was out of reach. Nicholas promptly smacked a hit into right field, stole second base and scored on a hit, creating a championship win type of reaction from the team despite another loss and the end to the tournament.

Many good things came out of this tournament, most importantly; it’s about the kids having fun and winning isn’t everything. Most of the team was on the same flight home and any other passenger never would have guessed the weekend results as everybody was in a great mood after an exciting weekend at Disney. The team became closer, as did the parents.

The events, fun and experiences will never be forgotten and will be story for our kids to someday tell their kids, and if they’re lucky enough, will one day be able to experience with kids of their own.

Many special thanks go out to Liz Henn of LBAC Travel for her time and efforts, to Debbie Olivieri for helping Liz and organizing a team dinner at Hollywood Studios, to all the parents for their participation and fundraising efforts, to all the siblings for “putting up” with the baseball, and to the coaches for all their efforts, and to our Bat boy Nicholas who did an outstanding job throughout the tournament.

And let’s not forget our cheering section and backbone of the team….the BLEACHER CREATURES for all their support at each and every game, and last but not least, our tour guide Julie who managed to lead our large groups throughout the parks.

10U Summer Season write up...

FARINA, NISSEN LEAD CHIEFS TO VICTORY IN FIRST GAME OF THE SUMMER SEASON

June 22, 2008 - Antonio Farina and Christian Nissen each pitched outstanding baseball in leading the 10 Chiefs to a 10-4 victory over the Smithtown Bulls. Farina had a single, double and 3 rbi’s and Ryan Olivieri added a single and 2 rbi’s in the Chiefs first win of the season.

CHIEFS BATS QUIET IN GAME #2

 June 22, 2008 – The Chiefs bats were quieted in game #2 of the double header against the Smithtown Bulls as they were defeated by a score of 6-4. Chris Luyster pitched 2 1/3 innings of 1 hit, no run ball.

 CHIEFS BATS ON FIRE IN NESCONSET, KETTERER DRIVES IN 4

June 24, 2008 – The Chiefs bats came alive against the Nesconset Panthers in today’s 19–0 victory. Chris Luyster pitched 3 innings of 1 hit baseball with 6 strikeouts and Alex Ketterer added another inning of no hit baseball. The offense was led by Alex Ketterer’s 2 hits and 4 rbi’s and Sean Sinclair’s 2 hits and 3 rbi’s.

BRUNO POUNDS OUT 2 HITS, STEALS 4 BASES, SCORES 2

June 26, 2008 – Jake Bruno led the offense with 2 hits, 4 stolen bases and 2 runs scored in the Chiefs 9-6 victory over the West Babylon Eagles. Peter Trink added 2 rbi’s. Antonio Farina, Christian Nissen, Sean Sinclair and Joe Melville all pitched well in the victory.

LUYSTER DOMINATES IN 6 INNING SHUTOUT

June 28, 2008 – Chris Luster DOMINATED the Smithtown Bulls in the first game of a double header today pitching a complete game, 2 hit, 9-0 shutout. The offense was led by Tommy Dias’ 2 hits and 3 rbi’s, Alex Ketterer’s 3 hits, 2 rbi’s and 3 stolen bases, and Christian Nissen’s 3 hits.

CHIEFS LOSE SLUGFEST

 June 28, 2008 – The 2 nd game of today’s doubleheader turned into a slugfest with the Chiefs falling short in their comeback 14-13. The offense was led by Christian Nissen and Sean Sinclair with 3 hits each and Tommy Dias added 2 hits and 4 stolen bases.

SLEEPY BATS AND 4 ERRORS LEAD TO LOSS

July 10, 2008 – The Chiefs did not swing their bats well today and 4 fielding errors led the way to an 8-6 loss to the Oakdale Bohemia Mets. Alex Ketterer’s 2 hits and 2 rbi’s and Sean Sinclair’s 2 hits led the offense. Josh Ortiz added 3 stolen bases.

 SINCLAIR THROWS NO-HITTER, COPPOLONE HOMERS

July 12, 2008 – Sean Sinclair threw a 4 inning no-hitter over the St. Gerard Dodgers today. Sean had 10 strikeouts and only 2 walks in his dominating performance. The Chiefs went on to win 15-0 as the offense pounded out 15 hits. Tom Coppolone led the charge with a home run and 3 hits in total. Peter Trink had 2 clutch doubles and 4 rbi’s and Josh Ortiz had 2 hits and 3 rbi’s.

MELVILLE TRIPLES, CHIEFS SWEEP

July 12, 2008 – The Chiefs completed the sweep of today’s double header with a 13-2 victory over the St Gerard Dodgers. The bats stayed alive as the Chiefs belted out 12 more hits in the 2 nd game. Tommy Dias, Antonio Farina, Alex Ketterer and Sean Sinclair each had 2 hits. Joe Melville belted his first triple of the year and had 2 rbi’s. Tommy Dias swiped 4 bases and Tom Coppolone and Alex Ketterer each had 3 steals in the game. Antonio Farina and Peter Trink each pitched well in the win.

DIAS THROWS SHUTOUT, CHIEFS STEAL GAME

July 15, 2008 – Tommy Dias pitched a masterful game against the EMS Sharks today in recording a 14-0 shutout victory. The Chiefs “stole” the game by swiping 33 bases. Josh Ortiz led the assault with 7 stolen bases of his own. Tommy Dias led the offense with 2 doubles and 2 rbi’s. Christian Nissen had 2 hits and 2 rbi’s and Peter Trink added 2 rbi’s as well.

CHIEFS BATS REMAIN HOT, ORTIZ HOMERS

July 17, 2008 – The Chiefs bats remain red hot as they plate 18 runs in an 18-8 victory over the Oakdale Bohemia Mets tonight. Chris Luyster led the attack with a single, double and 4 rbi’s. Ryan Giancola pushed across 3 runs with a double and Peter Trink added 2 hits and 3 stolen bases.