WINNING BIG

For a small town, the baseball players of Sutton sure know how to win big.


The Sutton Youth Baseball League tournament teams, under the direction of President Joseph Charielle and Vice President Sandy Burke, have competed aggressively for the past three years. In 2009, the nine-year-old all star team won the Cal RipkenWestern Mass State Championship and went on to finish 3rd in the Regional Finals. In 2010, the same group (now 10 year old team) again won the Western Mass State Championship and advanced to the Regional tournament, placing 5th. Also in 2010, the 9-12 age groups all advanced to the final championship game in the Uxbridge tournament, with the 10's and 11's winning the tournament. Additionally in 2010, the 9 year olds placed 3rd in the state tournament and the 11 year olds 5th. Finally in 2010, the 11/12 year old teams won the Blackstone Memorial Day Tournament for the second year in a row.



So… what’s their secret?

As an involved parent and third-year scorekeeper for the league, I’ve seen a lot of baseball. Fusing my observations with a laid-back interview with the league’s President, I thought I’d spread some good news. After all, the Red Sox have been slow to deliver.

According to Charielle, the key to successful tournament play lies in priming pitchers at an early age. By signing on to tee-ball by age five, teaching the right way to throw during Farm League, and allowing developmentally-ready ball players to move up to Minors by age eight, young boys come to the field seasoned by the time they’ve lost a set of molars.

This sounds so simple, like placing your glove down to catch a grounder. But what about the bad bounce? Just when we think we have baseball all figured out, we’re thrown a curve ball. We forget to consider the whole picture.

That’s where the coaching staff and Board of Directors come in.

The Board of Directors (Joe Charielle, Sandy Burke, Julianne Genatossio, Mike Cotoia and Brian Hebert) work endless hours on field maintenance, rosters, team scheduling, parent questions, league insurance and national chartering to keep the league strong and focused on their first priority—the kids.

Under SYBL provisions, the tournament coaches are required to hold a Ripken certification—one prioritizing good sportsmanship. Furthermore, Sutton coaches tend to rise through the ranks with their own kids; thereby gaining valuable experience along the way. The League strives for consistency, along with happy coaches. A bigger challenge, according to Charielle, is to keep the kids playing. As early as age eleven, players often stray from the sport, pursuing interests that supersede a love for baseball.

A love for baseball.

How do coaches manage to keep that passion alive?

I’ve attended enough baseball games to be as pumped-up about these athletic leaders as an enhanced Manny. I’ve watched Coach Cotoia step up for the safe third-base runner on the opposing team, and listened to Coach Genatassio encourage his new pitcher, despite the pocketful of veterans who could have played the position more competitively. Thanks to Coach Girouard, our boys are still shaking off mistakes and they can count on Coach Burke to recognize a great play made, regardless of whose team they’re playing for.

SYBL coaches practice integrity, on and off the field, and though they’re not perfect (who is, really?) they’re passionate about the needs of their players. They lead by example. And so shouldn’t we, the parents.

Parent involvement accounts for an added strength of the league. Community events such as Earth Day Clean-up and Opening Day are centralized at Hough Field, where the smells and sounds of baseball float through the air like an infield fly. Here, the children of SYBL see parents and coaches working together.

The Concession stand is stacked higher than a Yankee’s payroll. The candy is plentiful. The drinks are varied. The grill is massive. When it comes to cooking a burger, Coach Hebert sizzles. In short, a spirit of team work and generosity dwells at Hough Field.

Friendships are built. Memories are made. And the Sutton Youth Baseball players, along with competing, are winning big.

That’s something to be proud of.





Amy LeClaire

amyleclaire@hotmail.com