Tournament play opens June 24
By Dave McCarthy
On June 11, the Dodgers beat the Yankees for Philipstown Little League majors division championship and the Mets beat the Cubs for the minors division championship.
Immediately after, the top players from all teams united to field two Philipstown All-Star teams, one for players ages 12 and under and one for players ages 10 and under.
The 10U team plays until a state champion is declared, while the 12U team has the chance to advance all the way to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Penn., in August.
Last year, the Philipstown 10U team won its first two tournament games but then lost the next three to miss advancing to the next round. The 12U team lost their five games but all by less than two runs. This year’s 12U team is an older group, with eight players who are 12 (compared to two last year).
The coaches for the 10U team are Lee Erickson (manager), Adam Hotaling and Lora Hotaling. The coaches for the 12U team are John Van Tassel (manager), Darrin Santos and Dana Bolte.
The Philipstown Little League players have been fortunate to receive extra coaching from Haldane varsity baseball coach Tom Virgadamo, former Haldane standout and current Cortland University pitcher Ryan Koval, former high school coach John Blair and former Haldane varsity coach Jack DelVecchio.
The first game for the 10U team will be at 6 p.m. on Friday, June 24, at North Highlands Field when its hosts LaGrange. On Wednesday, June 29, the 10U team plays again at home. The first 12U home game will be Thursday, June 30. Refreshments from Greg’s Good Eats Food Truck will be for sale at all games.
