Quietly, an unsung group of Mineola young men have compiled a string of consistent successes on the town baseball diamond. The team wages battle under the banner of the Mineola Athletic Association without a surname to distinguish them. These athletes, led by the tutelage of manager Terry Mooney and assistant Tom Brostek, dominated the 2006 East Meadow Senior Baseball League by marching to the championship game for the third consecutive year. This rising bunch of local sophomores and juniors are forming a strong nucleus, which will benefit the Mineola High School Varsity baseball team for years to come and they are having fun doing it.

Mineola breezed through an undefeated season behind front line starter Mike Brady whose opening game 10 strikeout performance set the tone in a 7-2 victory. No stranger to the offense, Brady's opposite field hitting was displayed in a 10-0 whitewash in a 3 for 3 performance with two runs scored. The team's engine is shortstop Terry Mooney whose flawless infield play contributed to the league's lowest earned run average. Terry led the league in batting averaging nearly two hits and two runs per game. A key emergency start in an 8-2 late season win shows his unique combination of talent, spirit and determination. Setting the table and generating early leads was the responsibility of Jonathan Dias, whose keen baseball instincts and proven run scoring ability (4-4 with three doubles in a 13-8 shellacking in the regular season finale) were instrumental to the team's record. Labeled "the biggest surprise of the season" by the manager, Jon's toughness was on display when he took a line drive to the face and was back at DH in days despite his strong protests to return to second base.

The fortunes of many teams lie in the production of role players. This team used them to prosper. Chris Brostek led the league in assists with his reputation as the league's steadiest outfielder. Chris is a three year starter who has never missed a game while carrying himself with a quiet, intellectual demeanor. Chris's brother Kevin, another seasoned veteran, echoes the family trait for drama via an early season game saving grab in right field to preserve 3-0 perfection. Jimmy Murtha's sure-handed prowess at second and TJ Gessner's southpaw power made these mainstays key cogs in the Mineola machine. This year's rookie, TJ Winters, started slow but finished strong with a championship game tying fifth inning double to the center field wall while establishing his utility on defense.

Another new face was Rob Levy, a fundamentally sound first baseman who chipped in on the mound with an 11 strikeout shutout early in the campaign. Levy's line drive hitting converted on many opportunities. Frank Thomas' great range at the hot corner and clutch performances at the plate, particularly in an 8-2 thrashing (2-2, walk, RBI and run scored), kept the unblemished tally alive. John Aven's strong body of work as fireman and infielder were prominent and gave the team added balance. John also had a knack for getting on base at just the right time.

The most versatile athlete was Louis Corrao. Louis was Mineola's "Bert Campenaris" - someone who could fill all nine positions in any game. He provided the biggest hits in the tightest spots along with swiping a base (2-2,BB, SB and 2 BI in a decisive 7-3 win), if necessary. LJ Murphy was the team leader in runs batted in as his acumen for driving the ball into the gaps broke open many a game. His on base percentage soared by taking a walk or getting hit by a pitch (twice during a mid-season victory).

The East Meadow league provides a high level of competition and a focus on sportsmanship and respect. While the Mineola team is solely composed of its residents, any team is eligible to recruit up to 25% of their roster from outside the community. The surplus of talent in the East Meadow area, Clarke and East Meadow High Schools are perennial playoff teams, prove the depth of the surrounding area. Despite this handicap, Mineola was well represented on the All Star roster with Mooney, Brady, Corrao, Murphy, Dias and Levy penciled in at the top 6 spots in the lineup.

The regular season ended with a 6-0-1 record presenting a first round bye. Three shutouts over eight games (including a playoff blanking) led to a decisive title game against the East Meadow Indians. Scoreless through the first four innings, the 2-1 defensive battle was decided on two bizarre bases loaded dropped third strikes in consecutive half innings. The brain trust of both teams had never seen it before and probably will never see it again. Despite the disappointing outcome to an extraordinary season, the cries of "Wait till next year" are echoing along Jericho Turnpike.

While these teenagers display incredible talent, outstanding attitudes and loyal camaraderie, their performances would not be possible without the support of great fans. A large contingent of family and friends lined their chairs along the base lines every weekend. Evidencing their passion, parents attend away games even when their sons are not able to participate. More importantly, in this era of mania in youth sports, nothing but positive chatter resounds from the field to the dugout to the bleachers. This team is a prime example that good kids can win, play fair and exhibit sportsmanship in what remains the American pastime. The future is bright for Mineola baseball.