From the Commissioner's Desk... Vol 1 Issue 5

The Website

www.LNBASEBALL.org has been upgraded!  Parade photos, entire league schedules, all event flyers, and standings are all posted on the website.  Thank you Maryann Brown for maintaining this essential piece of communication for the LN Community. Since she can't be at every game, if you have any photos that you would like to see shared on our website or on our Facebook page, email them to Maryann at coachbrownlnbb@gmail.com.

Walter Hetzel and his son Scott were guest umpires at the 7/8yr old Munson Field Home Opener where Billy Mungo's LN Yankees defeated the LN Mets 3-0!  Umpiring is a right of passage as the players mature out of the league.  Please reach out to Director Shawn Klotz via registration@lnbaseball.org about all umpiring inquiries.

Ed Michalowski once again to the rescue.  At noon on Wednesday it was questionable whether or not the field at Munson was even playable.  At 2pm, unprompted by anyone, Ed sent me the following text, “Raked the field, should dry out by 5, you guys are good to go.” Selfless acts like this make playing in North amazing.

Tee-Ball Update

Director Tim Dulude has the tee ballers off to an amazing start. TB Mets vs TB Blue Jays and the classic matchup of TB Yankees vs TB Red Sox. Coaches are grooming these future ball players into teammates that stay positive and support their friends.  If the season continues to have weather and fun like it did on Wednesday, we are in great shape!

Whelan Field's New Mound

Players seem to be having a positive response to the new mound at Whelan. Parents and volunteers- not so much. The problem?  Unless you have steel fingers like Tom McKeever, the mound is incredibly hard to move. Just ask Anthony Kenney. Please, if you see anyone trying to do this alone, step up and lend a hand. Any parent can always help by setting up bases, placing the mound, and checking the area for dangerous trash.

KICKBALL

Shanna Mugno has been charged with organizing nearly 30 three year olds onto 4 teams! Their first game is on Saturday at 11am at Rosenberg Field. Typically the games last about 45 minutes.  Please stop by and encourage the kids and the parents! These players are the future of youth sports in Levittown!

Parents were raving about the Happy Pig and its arrival at Munson Field during our Wednesday game!  We are working hard with the truck’s owner Wendy to make this a regular thing.  As we all know running around to get to the field by 5pm for warm-ups puts a time crunch on all parents. The Happy Pig will make its return next Wednesday 4/24 at our next Wednesday Munson game!

Lower Farms Update

Director William Rumaldo and his coaches are trying to bring the skills of baseball to these emerging players.  While time consuming, with the help of parents and coaches the league was able to set up the pitching machine and generator for the LF Red Sox vs LF Yankees on Tuesday and LF Mets vs LF Dodgers on Thursday.  Every kid was able to swing and make contact with the ball. Amazingly, the LF Mets were able to make 4 outs in the field. Some teams struggle to find this magic throughout the entire season. The next LF game is on Saturday at 2pm and again at 3:30pm on Whelan.

MURAL UNVEILING 

The weather was not cooperative at all for the planned unveiling ceremony this past Monday.  Gale force winds and plummeting temperatures made the evening feel more like OCTOBER baseball (something I rarely experience as a Mets Fan.)  The mural behind the concession stand has been re-imagined by Michael Scully (LNBB dad/coach of Dean age 10).  The event also included presenting memorial plaques to both Walter Hetzel and the Family of Robert Imbroglio.  The local politicians came out to celebrate with North. All the photos are on our Facebook page.

The Parade

North had a tremendous turnout as we marched up Wantagh Ave and gathered at Duckpond Field for a brief ceremony. The banners were terrific!  North was led by three players from the Majors division carrying a banner that was created by LN Parent Nancy Curry over 25 years ago. The league reached out to Nancy the morning of the parade and she was ecstatic that the banner was making a return. Being part of the Levittown North Family doesn’t end after the 9th inning.

Softball Tournament

Adults, parents and coaches, here is your chance to remember why YOU don’t play anymore! Central and North will be playing a series of coaches games for charity. North is hoping to get together 2 teams, one from Kickball, Tee-ball, and Lower Farms, and the other from Upper Farms, Majors and Minors.  (12 players per team) Male/female. The team will play in a charity event. Interested? $50 includes LN Team Shirt.

Pitching Clinic

William Rumaldo and former professional baseball player James Labertino are working together to bring the return of Levittown North’s Popular free pitching clinic.  Here is an opportunity to learn the basics and get started on some simple techniques that will give you and your team huge benefits on the field.  SATURDAY 9am FREE on Whelan! (all are welcome)

Ducks Tickets

Board members will be visiting games this week to accept spring registration money and collect payment for anyone wishing to reserve tickets to the Levittown North Night at the Ducks!  Players get an opportunity to get down on the field and meet players, parents have an opportunity to chill and relax at a family friendly ball park surrounded by your Levittown North community.  Player tickets are free with a paying adult, $15! There are no games on Friday, May 17th so we can all attend.  60 tickets have already been reserved! Don’t be left in the pond!

Travel Team Update

Under the direction of Billy Mugno, Scott Butler and Michael Clark the 8U Northstars are off to an incredible start!  They scored 13 runs against Garden City last Sunday.  The energy level was super high despite the foggy forecast. All of the family and friends that joined in were critical in keeping the magic happening. This Saturday the Northstars play 2 games: first vs Port Washington at 9:30am and then again against Bethpage at 1:30pm. Details are listed on the website LNBASEBALL.org under the schedules tab.

UPCOMING EVENTS!

Pitching Clinic - 4/20

Happy Pig @ Munson - 4/24

Adult Charity Softball registration

Board Meeting - 4/25 (location TBD)

Pitch Hit Run (MLB sponsored) - 4/28

PICTURE DAY - 4/30 and  5/1 (schedule to follow)

DUCKS GAME - 5/17

From the Commissioner's Desk... Vol 1 Issue 4

Thank you!
The Levittown North Family led by Billy Mugno the new sheds were ordered, paid for and have been installed at both Rosenberg and Whelan Fields on Saturday, March 30th.  The team not only took down the old sheds and had them recycled, but they laid new foundations for the new structures and purged an enormous amount of debris from the bloated old sheds. Thank you to the volunteers that came out especially William A Mugno, Anthony Kenney, Tom McKeever, Scott Butler, Peter Zirogiannis, Dave Miller, Anthony LoPinto, William Rumaldo, Chris Purcell, and Maryann Brown for donating their time, muscles, and energy! As if that task wasn't big enough; these guys also re-hung the net for the batting cage!

Thanks to our proud sponsor Vincenzo’s pizza for supplying lunch!


LOCK DOWN!
Huge thank you to Tom McKeever who spent a chilly evening on Monday installing new hasps and combination locks on the brand new sheds on both Rosenberg and Whelan.  Between this work and the delivery of a new pitcher’s mound, the field is 100% operational once again.  We also would like to give a special thanks to the town for re-claying and dragging Munson field, installing new benches at Rosenberg and making a one-time clean-up of trash at Whelan.  We are truly coming together to make this “community baseball league” a prime example for others to follow.

HAPPY PIG!  
Wednesday Nights just got awesome!  During selected games this season on Munson Field the amazing food truck THE HAPPY PIG will be serving family friendly food.  No more running around for dinner with the family prior to the start of the game.  ALL are welcome to participate in the feast  FIRST APPEARANCE IS APRIL 17th !  Even if you are not scheduled for a game stop by and see what all the commotion is about! 

ToH (new benches, clay and a flag) 
The Town has reissued a flag for Whelan Field.  Without a light, the flag will need to be taken down each day. A work order has been placed to install a light, but the league is excited to fly our colors once again! Additionally, Rosenburg field got some lovin' with new benches and Munson received three truckloads of clay! 

Do you like our page on Facebook?  Do you follow us on Twitter?  What about Instagram?  Are you getting emails from your coaches? Is your coach using TeamSnap? Have you visited our website?  Levittown North is not perfect but the one thing we do awfully well is communication. Parents who have suggestions or want to get more involved please reach out!  As the season progresses the website will include schedules, standings, photos, and awesome community opportunities!

Attention VOLUNTEERS, PARENTS AND COACHES! Are you interested in joining our Charity Softball Team?  We will be raising money for Prostate Cancer Research by playing coaches and volunteers from other leagues.  While the winning team does receive a trophy, all are encouraged to join!  If you are interested please complete the following form by April 18th. Games will tentatively be played at night under the lights at McLaren Field.

SNACK SHACK IS READY!
Thank you to Sarah and Anthony, the concession royalty of Whelan Field!  They whipped the entire stand into shape and got it ready for this weekend!  April 13th is our first official intramural game on Whelan immediately following the parade. Additionally, Anthony arranged for the Port- o - Potties to be set up at both Rosenburg and Munson.

"Crisis Averted! " 
Special thanks to Dave Miller, Billy Mugno, and Tom McKeever who quickly sprung into action when they heard that the containers at Munson had been vandalized. They quickly sprung into action, secured the items and are making changes to the locks today! PHOTOS: gameday photos, parade day photos, Levittown North gear being worn in vacation photos?  We love ‘em . Use the hashtag #levittownnorthbaseball so we can find the photos and share on our website. Our next in-school swag day is May 17th.   We expect to flood social media with Levittown North Baseball Love.

The MacArthur Generals put on quite a show this past Saturday.  Over 45 players from Levittown North joined the varsity team in several station drills.  This free event was open to all Levittown North players and is a yearly hit with everyone! Lots of Photos here !

CLINIC PHOTOS! 

PARADE TIME CHANGE!  
Just be aware of the NEW time! See flyer posted on website.

Night at the Ducks!  
This event is fun for the adults and the kids!  If you have never been to see a DUCKS GAME now it the time!  Matt Den Decker, Kirk Nieuwenhuis, and Wally Backman  will be joining your kids on the field! Touch Base with your coaches during the first week for tickets.  Parking is free and the seats are awesome! This is the premiere Levittown North Family event! See attached flyer *There are no other LNBB games on the night of May17th to accommodate all families.

New Mural Unveiling
Where? - Whelan Field
When? - April 15th,  5:30 pm- 5:45pm
Who? - All are invited Special Guests include:
Dennis Dunne,  John Ferretti Jr.,
Michael Scully and  Walter Hetzel

Why? - Unveiling of the mural, dedication of the dugout and field 2 at Rosenberg.

April Events
April 12th Distribute Uniforms
April 13th Parade- 11:30am
April 15th Mural Ceremony -5:30pm
April 17th Happy Pig Visits Munson - 5:30pm
April 19th SPRING BREAK (Schools CLOSED)
April 20th Pitching Clinic - (with former professional baseball player)
April 21st Charity Softball Team Roster Announced and Schedule shared
April 29th KIDS BACK TO SCHOOL

THINGS TO DO BY MAY 1st
Create a planning committee for Carnival / BBQ  -----VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Create a planning committee for End of Year Celebration -----VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Plan Movie Night
COLLECT MONEY for DUCKS TICKETS
Submit Special Permits

Meet the Pros!

Last night coaches Billy Mugno and Walter Brown got to meet four members of the MLB Alumni association in a coaches clinic hosted and the Sports Dome in Massapequa.   This 2-hour intensive clinic touched on the basics of hitting, fielding, catching, and pitching.

WHAT DID WE LEARN?

HITTING

Angel Echevarria walked us through the basics of hitting. He railed against the current "exit velocity" and "launch angle" nonsense that the hyper analytics TV baseball rant about.  He reminded the 50 coaches present to "keep it simple." Balance and a strong foundation are the most important thing to teach for a hitter. Then Angel shared his simple mantra, "Shift Step Swing."  The whole time he constantly reminded the coaches that keeping the eyes on the ball and in the zone at a level spot will only make you a better hitter.

FIELDING

Donovan Mitchell gave us a plethora of drills that our fielders can use and he currently uses in his position with the NY Mets.  He seemed to focus on the quickness of the transfer and the importance of staying in the game mentally as the key to success at a higher level ball.  He suggested small drills and improving eye-hand coordination. His mantra in the field was the 5 F's,

• Feet moving on the pitcher's release
• Field the ball cleanly
• Find your feet below you
• Fire the ball at your target
• Follow the ball with your body

He also made mention of the base of the triangle being the shoulders and the importance of keeping the glove arm flexible.  If players overextend their arms during a fielding drill their range of motion and ability to transfer the ball are greatly diminished.  Donovan also stressed the importance of making each practice a competition. Kids are drawn to baseball because of the competition. Make them love the rush.  If the first time they feel the stress of competition is during a game, kids will not be able to handle it. Levittown North has a tradition of ending each practice with a  small skill competition and this was only backed up by the words of the professional.

CATCHING

Matt Merullo  took us on an inside look at being a catcher.  He stressed the importance of the stance and what that looks like depending on the situation in the field.  He noted that the catcher's job is to remain calm; every pitch should look intentional; catchers need to "help" the ump realize the pitcher is in charge.   He shared the difference between resting and ready behind the plate and glove placement. He compared working the glove of the catcher to driving a big steering wheel of a bus.

PITCHING

John Doherty shared his thoughts behind the art of pitching.  Pitchers should never 'unless trying to slow down a pitch' have a finger on the side of the baseball.  He compared pitching to busting out of a phone booth (keeping a narrow field in front of you and all motion going toward the plate.) He shared that the big changemaker in being ok and getting the most velocity is follow through.  One warning he gave all the coaches was the emphasis in recent years being placed on pushing off. While its definitely part of the game it should not come at the expense of the pitcher staying on top of the baseball and following through.   One thing he mentioned that surprised a lot of us was the importance of making every throw (even a friendly catch) count. "Make every throw at practice count."

*Special thanks to Long Island Hotstove for making this opportunity possible.