Participation up after lengthy decline
By Michael Turton
The recipe for a perfect opening day for 2016 Philipstown Little League includes a number of key ingredients. Clear blue skies. Mild temperatures. The national anthem. The first pitch. Hot dogs. Proud parents. Dedicated coaches. Community-minded sponsors. And most of all — a lot of boys and girls who love baseball.
It came together perfectly on Saturday, April 16, at North Highlands Field, as baseball season officially got underway in Philipstown.
This year 134 players are taking to the field, an increase of nearly 14 percent over last season, according to league president Dave McCarthy. “That’s a lot of kids for a small town like Philipstown,” he said. “After 10 years of decline, this is the first year the league has grown.” McCarthy believes one major reason for the increase has been “keeping some sort of baseball happening all year, including Thursday night fun clinics and fall ball.”
Sponsors for the season are Angelina’s, Appalachian Market, Bailey Cosmetic and Family Dentistry, Harold Lyons & Sons, Head in the Right Direction Counseling, Flagler Landscaping, the Haldane Faculty Association, Industrial Arts Brewing, JVT Construction, Mid-Hudson Concrete, Moo Moo’s Creamery, North Highlands Engine Co. No. 1 and the Putnam County News & Recorder.
This year’s divisions are the Junior Minors (ages 5 to 7) with the As, Yankees, Mets and Rockies; the Minors (ages 8 to 10) with the Cubs, Giants, Mets and Yankees; the Majors (ages 11 to 12) and the age 16-and-under Junior League. The Minor and Major leagues play teams from Fishkill as well as hometown rivals. Playoffs will be the week of June 6, with championship Sunday and closing ceremonies on June 11.
Play ball!
2016 Little League officials
President: Dave McCarthy
Vice President: Tom Virgidamo
Safety Officer: Adam Hotaling
Treasurer: Kristin Van Tassel
Director of Umps: Mike Meeropol
Director of Fields: Lee Erickson
Player Agent: Amber Stickle
