In between all the batting practice, the fly balls, the base-running drills and throw sessions, South Shore manager Vin Nichilo has tried to get another message across to his 13-man roster as it prepares for this week’s Little League NYS All-Star 12s tournament.
And he’s adamant about this thing, mind you.
"I’ve played baseball at all different levels, but my biggest memory was playing on South Shore American’s (12s All-Star team) during the 1990 season. We went all the way to the East Region that year,'' said Nichilo during Saturday night’s practice at the Joseph A. Verdino Jr. Field of Dreams Stadium. "I was only a role player on that team, but it’s something I’ll never forget.
"I tell them all the time, whether you’re a starter or coming off the bench, always be ready to go and enjoy this moment because it very well could be something they’ll never forget as well.''
That 1990 team won the District 24, Section 3 and state titles before being eliminated by Shippensburg -- the team that eventually fell to Tainan, Taiwan in the Little League World Series championship game -- in the East Regional.
Nichilo’s manager was South Shore legend Goody Halvorsen and one of his teammates was an 11-year-old kid named Jason Marquis. The latter two, of course, were instrumental in leading South Shore American to the Little League World Series one year later.
South Shore kicks off the 12s state tourney on Tuesday at Penfield Little League. The Tottenville loop will square off against Twin Town LL at 3 p.m.
Nichilo is confident his team will put in a good showing, and possibly win, as it attempts to become the second straight Staten Island team to advance to the Mid-Atlantic Regional. Mid-Island, of course, made the trip a year ago en route to becoming the sixth Island team to make it to Williamsport for the LL World Series.
South Shore 12s All-Star baseball manager Vin Nichilo, blue shirt, left, has watched his team win the District 24 and Section 3 South championships so far this summer. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon)
"I 100 percent want them to enjoy this and have the same experience I did,'' said Nichilo, who played for manager Gordon Rugg at St. Joseph by-the-Sea during his high school playing days. "And along the way, in addition to the baseball, I want them to enjoy the friendships, the time hanging out and everything that comes outside of baseball as well.''
If you listen to some of his players, who had the good fortune of practicing at Coney Island’s MCU Park on Friday night, they’re getting that initial message and more. A healthy competition for spots has turned into a team with a strong chemistry.
"I think everyone understands their roles and regardless of what they are, we always pick each other up,'' said pitcher/first baseman Anthony Abruzese. "We’ve gelled as a team and I don’t think anybody cares about personal goals. We want to win baseball games.
"It’s exciting and enjoyable,'' Abruzese added. "We’ve experienced some pressure playing the last three or four years. We’re used to playing in big games and now, these games have become just another baseball game.''
Nichilo said the player that reminds him most of himself is reserve Michael Marchese. The centerfielder is into every pitch regardless if he’s in the game or not and his positive attitude is contagious.
"What’s good for (my teammates) is good for me,'' Marchese said. "I want everyone on the team to succeed just as much as I do for myself and when they hit a home run, for instance, it’s like I hit it myself.
"Everybody wants everyone else to do well and there’s been a lot to cheer about so far. It’s been real exciting.''
Second baseman Anthony Catalano said his South Shore 12s baseball All-Star team has played like one unit heading into the Little League state tourney. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon)
Second baseman Anthony Catalano, who also pitches for South Shore, echoed his teammates’ thoughts.
"When someone is up, we’re always hoping they make an impact to help the team. We don’t care who it is,'' he said. "We’ve lost the last few years (playing All Stars), so winning these first two tournaments has been really nice, something we’ve had a lot of fun doing.
"And we want to keep it going,'' he added. "We’ve been playing (like one unit) and if we continue to do that, we know we have a chance to win the state tournament.''
Not to mention further enjoy a ride their manager knows all about.