Wow, where do we begin. First, we would like to thank the Island Trees baseball organization for its support. Now, onto baseball. The Island Trees Bulldogs baseball All-Star team just completed a grueling yet extremely successful tournament schedule. The team was assembled way back in the first and second week of May 2002. The team consisted of 12, 10-year-old baseball players. In alphabetical order they are Cody Abramson, George Balsamo, Daniel Bartlett, Matthew Christoffersen, Anthony Ciaramitaro, Bradley Fliller, Jack Garren, Michael Gruber, Anthony Lanzarone, Christopher Nickel, Patrick Reilly and Bryan Verbitsky.

Although all the boys had nicknames, the one that comes to mind is the one given by the boys to Patrick Reilly. Basically this team has now been together for three years. This was Patrick Reilly's first season on the team, so the boys took to calling him "the Rookie."

The team started practicing at the end of May 2002, working around their regular league games and practices. Tournament play started on June 24 with the NY State Metro qualifying round. We then moved on to a highly competitive Fourth of July tournament out in Ronkonkoma, in which the boys competed against not just regular Little League teams, but Travel Select teams (hand-picked from various areas) from around Suffolk county. We also competed in two other competitive tournaments, the Glen Cove Mayors Trophy Tournament and the Nick Lomingino Tournament in Queens, better known as HBQVB. Their final game was on Aug. 24.

The Bulldogs' overall record was an outstanding 17-9. They battled through a tough Ronkonkoma schedule, just missing the playoffs by one game. This was a difficult tournament in which to make the playoffs. The divisions consisted of eight teams with only the first-place team getting a playoff birth.

The Dogs continued on their hot streak into the Glen Cove Tournament, in which they finished with a 5-2 record tied for second place in the American division.

Well, the Dogs were not about to rest on their second-place finish in Glen Cove. They proceeded to tear through their Queens schedule on their roll into the playoffs winning their next three playoff games to advance to the HBQVB "championship game." Considering that 16 teams participated in this tournament, this was quite an accomplishment. Unfortunately for the Bulldogs their usual potent hitting attack was on "strike" the day of the championship game. They were only able to muster two base hits in a 3-1 loss to Manhasset. All in all they finished with an astounding 7-1 record in the HBQVB tournament.

Offensively, the Bulldogs were led by Bryan Verbitsky with a.485 batting average, three homeruns and eight doubles, Anthony Ciaramitaro with a .448 batting average, two homeruns, seven doubles, five triples, and Matthew Christoffersen with a .423 batting average, one homerun and seven doubles.

The pitching staff was led by closer Daniel Bartlett who came into some tough late inning situations to earn the saves, along with steady starting pitching by Chris Nickel, Anthony Lanzarone, George Balsamo and Jack Garren.

The extra hitter position in the lineup was mainly manned by a productive Michael Gruber who also filled in defensively in the outfield. Cody Abramson was as steady as they come for a number 10 hitter. His skilled bunting, eventually elevated him to the number two spot in the batting order and helped him post a .327 batting average.

The catching duties were split by two great defensive catchers, Bradley Fliller and Patrick Reilly. Patrick was quite new to tournament baseball play, but quickly picked up on the differences (which there are many) between league play and tournament play. Thanks in part to Patrick Reilly's willingness to learn, and the opportunity to watch the defensive skills of Bradley Fliller, the Bulldogs had quite a catching tandem.

Again, tournament play began June 24 and concluded Aug. 24. When you take a step back and consider those dates, it is so very obvious how much these boys love to play the game of baseball. They gave up all their summer vacations just to play baseball. This team from top to bottom is filled with players who give 100 percent and fully dedicated themselves to this team. They chose baseball over vacation and their hard work and "all for one" attitude helped create an awesome atmosphere and one truly remarkable season.

From Coach Troy, Coach John, Coach Bobby and Coach Tony, thanks to all the players and parents of this team for making this season so enjoyable. We wouldn't trade it for anything. You Dogs have a special place in our hearts. We also want to wish everyone a great school year. Study hard and get good grades.

Special thanks to team mom Susan Fliller, whose phone bill must triple during the All-Star season and John Garren for always having a cooler filled with Gatorade and Kool-Aid.

Another thank you goes out to our team mascot Granda Verbitsky as everyone called her, for somehow making it to each and every game and cheering the whole team on.

Oh, and congratulations on taking home some hardware boys. I told you, you could do it, and you did. You boys earned it.

One more time for good measure. 1, 2, 3 Dogs.