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PressFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Loch Sheldrake, NY (10/18/2011) – On Monday, October 10th, members of the SUNY Sullivan Generals Baseball program partnered with professionals from the Pro Prospects Training Center (Monticello, NY) to hold a baseball and softball clinic at SUNY Sullivan. The event was a fundraiser for Tri-Valley Little League of Grahamsville, New York. Home to over 300 youth athletes ever season, Tri Valley Little League sustained catastrophic damages and major losses to its entire complex and equipment when Hurricane Irene hit on August 28th. Tri Valley parent and coach, Tammy Porter, who is also an instructor at SUNY Sullivan, wrote about the devastation she saw when she visited the complex the day after the hurricane: “…I was in no way prepared for what I would see on Monday – only one day after the water mark was left on the concession stand at four feet high. The girls‟ field was gone past shortstop; the river [had] swallowed up the outfield.” Flooding covered the fields in as much as five feet of water, causing extensive damage by corrosion. Flood waters also tore down fencing and destroyed entire sections of bleachers, and covered everything in its path with mud, stones, uprooted trees, and whatever other detritus the currents were carrying with them. The surging waters were so powerful, that an entire concrete dugout was demolished. With the Grahamsville complex closed permanently, a concerned community wondered how it would find the thousands of dollars necessary to rebuild it. With plans to hold league play at a temporary location for the 2012 season in place, Tri-Valley’s goal is to be back up and running in a permanent location by Opening Day 2013. In the weeks since the hurricane, enormous community response has made that goal increasingly likely. “I decided to help by making a video showing the damage,” said Ms. Porter. “Within a couple days it had gotten several hundred views and word of the damage had spread as fast as the water had risen.” > To view video, search YouTube for: Tri-Valley Little League Field Flooded, Grahamsville NY < Donations from private parties and local businesses alike have been coming in to supplement funds raised at events like the one put on by SUNY Sullivan and Pro Prospects Training Center. SUNY Sullivan Head Coach, Ryan Snair, heard what happened at Grahamsville, and worked with Steve Pinto of Pro Prospects to organize the baseball and softball clinic fundraiser. Not only would they be pitching in to help the league, but they would be sharing their baseball and softball expertise with developing young players at the same time. Designed for girls and boys, ages 7 to 17, the clinic asked for a $50 registration fee, 100% of which would go directly to the Tri-Valley Little League Relief Fund. With a promotional campaign that relied heavily on social media and word of mouth, the clinic was able to attract some 40 participants who took to the SUNY Sullivan baseball diamond on a sunny Monday, October 10th. Staff members from Pro Prospects Training Center, as well as SUNY Sullivan’s baseball staff – including Snair and his Assistant Coaches, Tom Mattice and Jared Carrier - lead a clinic that focused on baseball and softball fundamentals. Including registration fees and private donations accepted on campus on the day of the clinic, more than $2,400 was raised. “I am especially proud to tell you that even the Generals baseball players themselves collected $50 towards the overall total,” said Coach Snair. “It [is] a great cause and I [am] proud to be a part of it.” "It was great to see the collaboration of SUNY Sullivan, the Tri-Valley Little League & Pro Prospects Training Center in what turned out to be a fantastic day,” said Jared Carrier (who is both Asst. Coach at SUNY Sullivan and General Manager of Pro Prospects). “Not only did the participants receive outstanding instruction from the clinic staff but they had a blast while doing so.” SUNY Sullivan’s Director of Athletics, Christopher DePew also said, “We enjoy a lot of local support for our program here in Sullivan County, and to be able to contribute in such a meaningful way – to impact the lives of so many young athletes and their families – let’s just say this event was a great way for our team to give back a little to a community that rallies for us every season.” DePew and his staff also used this opportunity as a teaching moment with their student athletes, and addressed some of the key principles laid out in the
NJCAA’s Leadership for Life program: Respect, Integrity, and Responsibility. The SUNY Sullivan athletics staff and team looked at the ideals of respect for the game, self and others, as well as integrity, responsibility, and more. In a class-room session for SUNY Sullivan players, held in conjunction with the fundraising event, the group more deeply examined the values that were in action leading up to and during the clinic. “All in all,” said DePew, “I think the team’s involvement with this event, and how they really stepped up to the plate, speaks to our guys as the kind of “Classy Program” that Leadership for Life encourages and gives us the tools to be.” Carrier adds that, “the Tri-Valley community has been nothing but appreciative in their feedback.” Tammy Porter quoted a great baseball humanitarian in her response to the event, evoking the words of Roberto Clemente: Any time you have an opportunity to make a difference in this world and you don't, then you are wasting your time on Earth. “What a great program you had today,” said Porter. “It [was] wonderful to see you all so enthusiastic and energetic. I would like to personally thank all the [Generals] baseball players and the staff at Pro Prospects for making a difference in our world.” Thanks to the efforts and contributions of the SUNY Sullivan Generals, Pro Prospects Training Center, and an entire community of difference-making neighbors, Porter is pleased to report that “the future of baseball and softball in our community looks brighter.” ****************************** Storm damage won't shut down Little LeagueBy Leonard Sparks SUNDOWN — The bed of Tom Mitchell's pickup truck sat loaded with plastic utility bins on a recent morning, one more step in his evacuation from three decades of work. Inside the bins are mud-stained helmets, catchers' gear and other equipment belonging to the Tri-Valley Little League complex. Last year the complex was named for Mitchell, the league's president. In August, its fields were erased by Hurricane Irene. The summer home to 300 Little Leaguers is now a wreck of twisted fencing, collapsed dugouts and bleachers, and base paths buried under mud left by the receding Rondout Creek. But the destruction has sparked a vigorous community response: an outpouring of donations and fundraisers, including an upcoming baseball clinic organized by SUNY Sullivan and Monticello-based training center Pro Prospects, to fund a new complex. "I didn't realize until it got destroyed how much it meant to everybody," said Mitchell, who plans to hold the league at a temporary location in 2012. About 600 people turned out for a spaghetti dinner Sept. 23. Some came armed with checks written out to the league. Proceeds from the dinner and donations came to about $11,000. Ryan Snair, SUNY Sullivan's baseball coach, and Steve Pinto, Pro Prospects' owner, aim to build on that total with a baseball and softball clinic. The event will be Monday at the college."We knew what happened with the field, and we just put our heads together and we said we had to do something to give back," Snair said. Pro Prospect instructors and SUNY Sullivan baseball staff and players will teach skills to two age groups: 7 to 12 and 13 to 17. All proceeds from the $50 registration will go to a relief fund set up for the league. "It's one of the nicest facilities in the area," Pinto said. "I know a lot of effort has gone into building that program and growing that facility." What started with one field grew to four fields and 25 teams, said Mitchell, a former prison guard who helped start the league in 1971 and has been president since 1992. Hundreds of boys and girls, ranging in age from 5 to 12, compete each year. The complex survived $19,000 in damage in 2003, but Irene-related flooding from the Rondout covered it under as much as 5 feet of water, he said. The flooding destroyed most of the fencing and toppled bleachers. One dugout lay crumpled, its 8-inch-thick concrete wall snapped."There's people that have certainly lost a lot more than we have, but it was home to about 300 kids," Mitchell said. "By 2013, I plan on having my same fields back." ****************************** Manor’s Marissa Diescher signs to
play softball at Penn State
****************************** LM ace to sign with Penn State Livingston Manor ace Marissa Diescher verbally committed to play softball at Penn State in August of last year – before her junior year. Still, during the past 15 months, other coaches have tried to pry her away from the Nittany Lions, sending letters and messages on Facebook. Maybe now they will finally back off. Diescher, the two-time Varsity845 Player of the Year who led Livingston Manor to the Class D state title this spring, will sign a national Letter of Intent at 8 p.m. Monday at Pro Prospects in Monticello, where she developed her nasty stuff. “Most coaches backed off when I picked Penn State,” said Diescher, the Class D co-state player of the year last season. “But I still had coaches telling me that I could help grow their program and stuff like that. I guess that will be over after I sign.” “This is big, it shows all my hard work paid off,” Diescher said of the signing. “Everyone can see it, it's not just a verbal anymore. I think this will make things a lot easier, this won't always be on my mind.” ****************************** Pete Gilardo Drafted by Red Sox
******************************
Minor Leaguers Prepare at Pro Prospects Gonzalez, who was born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, played for Webber International University in Florida, an NAIA Division I school. During his time with Chillicothe last season, he batted in the .240s and hit three homers. One of those round trippers was a game-winner.
Although his primarily played catcher and shortstop in his two seasons with the Sullivan Spartans, the 23-year-old Gonzalez played all four infield positions for the Paints last season.“We’re excited to begin the season,” Gonzalez said. “We are going to keep working hard and trying to improve.”
Of course, Garcia and Gonzalez are hoping that their talent combined with their hard work will enable them to someday take the field wearing a Major League uniform. ******************************
School's Pitch: Baseball and
Kids Pinto, a former sportswriter for the Times Herald-Record, started the school in 1997 with three students. Really, it wasn't much of a school. Some parents asked him to coach."Brandon was one of his first students we have been coming here since he opened," Katz's mother, Colleen Kelly, said. "It's amazing to watch. We have watched it grow ...just multiply and it doesn't stop." The school now has three instructors. Last week, 140 kids showed up for lessons. It will get busier until April. Pinto has plans to expand to a larger facility. He recently submitted a proposal to the Town of Thompson to buy 3 acres of town land off Cold Spring and Gandy roads."It's become a full-time job," he said. "When I first started I never thought it would be a full-time endeavor. It was unintentional. I pinch myself every morning when I wake up. I can't believe I'm doing this." Pinto never achieved his dream of playing major league ball, and most of his kids won't either. But a lot can be learned from baseball, he said – like teamwork, getting along with people and handling frustration. Katz isn't ready to give up. He can see himself on the mound, Shea Stadium, Mets versus Yankees, game seven. A scout for the Anaheim Angels showed up last Sunday and watched him throw. So far, that's been the apex of his career. Baseball - "I dream about it," he said. ****************************** Love of Game Endures,
Uncorrupted by Money ****************************** OT to reach dream ****************************** Dietrich takes control on
mound ******************************
By Matt Youngfrau MONTICELLO — December 20, 2002 The Pro Prospects Baseball/Softball Training School has been very active since it opened in 1997.Pro Prospects founder Steve Pinto started the school slowly, training three children. Now the school teaches over 200 kids a year. For the last three years, Pinto has been looking for property to try and expand his school. The current school on North Lakewood Avenue is just not large enough to suit the facility’s needs .Pinto has been working with the Town of Thompson and Supervisor Tony Cellini to purchase some property on Cold Spring Road. The property is the former facility for the Town’s Department of Public Works (DPW). The current facility has two batting cages and a pitching tunnel, which allows three lessons to be taught at once. The proposed facility would have four batting cages, allowing for four lessons at a time. The building would be 60 ft. by 115 ft. with a 20-foot ceiling.During the last few months, baseball and softball scouts from colleges and professional leagues have come down to look at the students. Last year, one student was signed by the Boston Red Sox. Earlier this year, a scout from the 2002 World Series Champion Anaheim Angels was there to see the students.Cellini discussed the school’s plans with the other Town of Thompson board members at their meeting on Tuesday night. The board members were very supportive of the project.They had Town Assessor Thomas Frey give an estimate on the property’s value. Before agreeing to sell the property, the board wants exact estimates on how large the school will be, how much property is needed and the impacts. They requested that Pinto have some site plans drawn up in the near future and meet with Town of Thompson Code Enforcement Officer TJ Brawley."I feel great about the town’s support," Pinto said. "Tony Cellini has gone above and beyond with his assistance and guidance. I grew up in Sullivan County. My heart is here and I wanted to commit to the kids in the area."The plans for the school are still in the very early stages. If the Town of Thompson sells Pinto the property, the project still needs Planning and Zoning Board approvals. Pinto is hopeful to have the new facility open, if all goes well, by the end of next year. ****************************** Pro Prospects Brings Home A Win From Florida The Monticello Pro Prospects softball team won an American Softball Association (ASA) 18-and-under national tournament over the Presidents’ Day weekend at Disney’s Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Fla. The tourney was part of Disney’s Fast Pitch Festival. Pro Prospects beat the New Jersey Silver Starz 4-1 behind Analey Dietrich of Smallwood and Monticello High School.Dietrich yielded one hit and struck out five while walking nine.“It was a real small strike zone,” the hurler commented.Analey shared the game’s MVP with her sister Shannon, who went 2-for-3 with a double and triple and one RBI and even stole home.
Kristie Beamer of Monticello drove in a couple of runs.Shannon also made a diving catch behind second base with runners on second and third for the game’s final out.Monticello HS softball teammate Kim Donohue, the catcher, had two pickoffs.Pro Prospects began the tourney with a 5-4 loss to the Jersey Silver Starz, with Dietrich taking the loss. The Prospects then underwent what coach Dennis Dietrich called a couple of “Mickey Mouse” situations. First, their next opponent, the Dutch national team, showed up and they were all over 18 years of age and were wearing steel spikes — both violations.“They wanted us to sign a waiver releasing them from responsibility in case of injury, but we said no,” Dennis related.As a result, Prospects won by forfeit. The Maitland Sting of the Orlando area then showed up an hour late for the 1:15 game, and also had to forfeit. According to Dennis Dietrich, the local squad arrived scant minutes after the umpires had already called the game.Prospects did agree to play a scrimmage against Maitland, however, and won 2-1 behind Michelle Olsen of Liberty. Crystal Forget of Monticello copped this game’s MVP.Dennis Dietrich said the facilities at the Wide World of Sports Complex were first class. He gave his thanks on behalf of the team and the other coaches — Kristi Dean, Pat Shuart, and Charlie Beamer — for all the people whose contributions helped make the trip possible. The Prospects hope to travel to another national-caliber tourney later this year. ****************************** They're Going to Disney World While they are planning to enjoy their time in Orlando, the team members are also on a mission. That mission is to defend the championship they won at last year’s Disney’s Wide World of Sports Fast Pitch Festival. The team members and coaches will leave the county tomorrow afternoon for the festival, which begins Friday and ends on Sunday. Pro Prospects begins its quest to repeat at 5 p.m. Friday with a game versus Finesse, a team from Michigan. After playing Finesse, Pro Prospects will meet each of the other teams in its 18-and-Under Fast Pitch pool.After those four opening-round games have been played, Pro Prospects will be seeded for the single elimination tournament based on its pool performance. There, they will play teams from the other division – which features another Michigan team as well as squads from Kentucky and the state of Washington.Obviously, the Pro Prospects players and coaches hope to be in the championship game on Sunday afternoon.“We’re the defending champs and we’re going down there to win again,” Manager Dennis Dietrich said. All of the members of last year’s team, except for three players, are back for 2002. (Those three are Kristi Beamer, Cindy Jessup and Jessica Konefal, all of whom are 2001 Monticello Central School graduates and are now either too old to play on the team and/or away at college.) “We’re going (down there) to win,” she said. |
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Pete Gilardo, a former Pro Prospects student and Dominican College senior, was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 45th round of 2007 Major League Baseball Draft. Pete finished the 2007 season with a .316 batting average to finish third on the team. He finished 27th in the CACC in hitting and was third in throwing out base runners (16). Pete finished his career at Dominican with a .328 average, 174 hits, 37 doubles, three triples and six home runs. He had a .443 slugging percentage, a .971 fielding percentage and threw out 59 base runners. "It's awesome that I will have the opportunity to continue playing baseball on the professional level," Gilardo said. "I was following the draft on my computer and it was just an amazing feeling when I was picked by the Boston Red Sox. I am anxious and excited to get to Florida and get started playing." 
