Baseball, Camaraderie, and Unwavering Support: The Berkeley Heights 12U Cooperstown Experience
There was heat, humidity, a thunderstorm for the ages … and there was baseball.
Oh, there was baseball.
The Berkeley Heights 12U Cooperstown team – and 71 other clubs from around the U.S. and Canada – came together at the Cooperstown All-Star Village for five unforgettable days of competition, camaraderie and fun.
There was no shortage of hits, sparkling defensive plays and of course, majestic home runs. There were successes – including consecutive must-win playoff victories – and there were losses. There was even a game that started at 1:45 a.m.
Unforgettable, indeed.
But years from now, when these boys tell their own children and grandchildren about the trip, the results will be secondary. The memories made over the course of a jam-packed 120-hour period will last longer and overshadow any singular win or loss.
Coaches Ray Orta, Brandon Wreckler and David Bussin led the way on the field. Their time, devotion and care helped bring out the best in the boys, who played hard but more importantly, the right way.
However, the list of those who made the trip possible goes far beyond the dugout.
Throughout the winter, spring and early summer, family, close friends, a close-knit community and a myriad of local businesses gave life to the Cooperstown experience by helping to support the club in a variety of ways.
A very special “thank you” goes out to:
Berkeley Heights PAL, Berkeley Cleaners, Bubakoo’s Burritos, Clemente’s Pizzeria, Country Farms Convenience Store, Dimaio’s, Dr. Randy Lizardo, Dunkin’, Gabrielle Fitness, GameChanger Fitness, Goodman’s Deli, Hop Hing, J Walker Salon, Kaliwa (Washington D.C.), Kumon, La Rosa Chicken & Grill, Liberty Transportation and Storage, Lifetime Fitness, LillySprouts Wellness, New Polished Nails & Spa, Rita’s Italian Ice, Robert Robinson Orthodontics, Smith Chiropractic, Sub Zone, Terrana Orthodontics and Vintage Tavern
A special shoutout must also be directed to the residents of Berkeley Heights and the surrounding areas. Youth sports plays such an integral role in shaping and defining the children of towns across the country, but it comes with a cost. To have the support of everyone from families to strangers cannot be overstated and will never be forgotten.
The Berkeley Heights 12U Cooperstown Team and their families will always remember all who stepped up to the plate.
Your contributions made their dreams a reality.
See you on the diamond.
Berkeley Heights 12U Cooperstown Team
Andrew Avallone
Max Bussin
Rocco DiGena
Dylan Klinck
Lucas Machin
Ryan Mann
Joe Miller
AJ Raiti
Ben Redente
Emry Schwartz
JJ Villanueva
Anthony Xhelo
