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PV Baseball Association Opening Day Parade a Huge Hit
Considine twirls gem for Tigers; local sports roundup
by Ray Gallagher
 | | Minor Leaguers of the Giants team in the Putnam Valley Baseball Association program pause during a parade break for a quick snap shot. |
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The Township of Putnam Valley has made a slew of headlines in recent weeks for an array of belittling reasons, including three recent murders, a suicide, a Supervisor at odds with his Town Board and a prominent figure busted on dope charges. One would think accused murderer O.J. Simpson might take up summer residence, slip into a flannel shirt and fit right in among the incendiary cave rabbits. The headlines have been embarrassing for the proud kinfolk who regularly live and die to make Putnam Valley, the supposed jewel of Putnam County, a better place to live.
Indeed, it was a much better place last Saturday as members of the Putnam Valley Baseball Association, its 330 players, their parents and grandparents declared unanimous success after an opening day parade that concluded at the main pavilion field at the Leonard Wagner Memorial Town Park. More than 400 marchers paraded from the Putnam Valley Elementary School down Oscawana Lake Road and into the park behind a brigade of fire engines. They were treated to a day of fun and frolic, which included barbequed food, cotton candy and three giant, inflatable toys, which kids enjoyed for hours. Three Minor League games followed, as opening day concluded with the ping of aluminum against cowhide; with the defending champion Tigers, the Cubs and Diamondbacks all pulling out a win.
 | | Putnam Valley's Jason White enjoys a trip down the jumpy slide during opening day ceremonies for the Putnam Valley Baseball Association. |
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"Three years ago we didn't even have a league, now look at what we've got… it's an amazing progression," said Putnam Valley's Nancy Ferraro. "This is a terrific day. The kids are having a ball… everybody is."
The effort was truly a piece of teamwork, spearheaded by the Putnam Valley Parks & Recreation Department and the Putnam Valley Baseball Association, including PVBA members Kevin Gallagher, Joe Nolan, Ed Lent, Ron Espinosa, Gene Yetter, Irv Bomba, John Gutierrez, Mike Raimondi, Ron Ferraro, Ron Guerra and Commissioner Ray Gallagher. Each played vital roles in the development of the league and the opening day ceremonies, meeting weekly since January. The fruits of their labor were never more evident than on Saturday.
"What a great job these guys did," said Putnam Valley resident Sabrina Uchetel. "Our family had a wonderful time and we look forward to this for many more years to come."
The four leagues, ranging in age from 4 to 11, now comprise 28 teams and 27 different sponsors and a slew of volunteers who put the event over the top, including Nancy Ferraro and Kelly Espinosa.
"We couldn't do this without our sponsors," said Kevin Gallagher. "We've done everything we can to recognize them today. Each one of them is a big, big part of what we're doing here."
What they're attempting to do is build an in-house program that might eventually serve as a sufficient feeder program to the P.V. School District, which chalked up a big 7-1 win over visiting Peekskill last Saturday when the Tigers improved to 1-1 behind a solid pitching performance from Pat Considine.
"Pat was seriously dealing," said Tigers coach Joe Natale, a former stud at Mahopac High in the mid-'90s. "He threw 95% fastballs and just went after them. When he gets confidence in his change-up and his slider, he's going to be nasty. Between Pat and Greg D'Annibale, we've got two pretty solid starters."
Considine, a junior righthander, whiffed 11 Red Devils and scattered four hits and drove home a run. Karl Lange scored three runs for the improving Tigers, who look like a club that might set a new school record for wins (7) on the baseball diamond. That won't be easy, though, as the Tigers' league schedule is quite demanding (Panas, Briarcliff, Byram Hills, Pleasantville and Kennedy).
"If we can get to sectionals this year, we'll have truly earned it," said Natale.
The Haldane baseball team did not share similar fortune in its first two games, losing both in lopsided fashion. The Blue Devils were knocked off by both Westlake (16-1) and North Salem (11-1).
The Putnam Valley boy's lacrosse team chalked up a big win when the Tigers knocked off Brewster, 11-4, last Tuesday, but the Tigers (2-3) could not sustain that momentum against a very improved Mamaroneck program, who dealt P.V. a 12-7 setback.
Senior attackman Peter Morgan was dishing and finishing against the Bears, scoring four times and setting up three goals. Middie Tom Kelly added a pair of marks and set up three scores for the winners, who gobbled 31 groundballs. Hugh O'Gorman scored twice. Corey Ender notched nine saves during one of the best defensive efforts of the season by the Tigers.
Against Mamaroneck (5-2), Myles Monaghan (3G, 2A) did what he does best, spoiling the day for the Tigers. Ryan Fitzgerald and Jim Fitzsimmons each scored a pair for the Tigers, who were scheduled to face defending Class C champion Rye Tuesday before seeing Suffern Thursday.
Windmiller Karianne Brown has been the big story for the Putnam Valley girl's softball team, which has opened at 1-1. The Tigers aren't exactly stinging the ball (.188 team BA), so Brown has had to be on, striking out 17 in 16 innings and pitching to the tune of a 2.18 ERA. She's also hitting .500. The Class B Tigers beat Hastings 8-7 to open the year and suffered a tough 2-0 loss to Class AA Mahopac.
The Haldane girl's softball team dropped their first game of the season, falling 7-1 to unbeaten Edgemont (3-0), who have combined to thrash it first three foes by a 50-2 score. Tied at 1-1, Blue Devil chucker Chelsea Lisikatos had been cruising through the first five innings before Edgemont scored six in the fateful sixth. Missy Gannon plated Jade Lyons for the lone Haldane run. Lisikatos stroked a pair of singles for Haldane, which takes on the Keio Academy this Friday at home.
Visit www.yourdirectrays.com for more photos of Putnam Valley's opening day parade as well as Putnam Valley and Haldane varsity sports programs.
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