Sports

Mets Honor Chaminade Baseball Champs

Flyers' 2011 NSCHSAA championship team honored with video tribute at Citi Field.

When a sports team clinches a championship, a ring ceremony typically precedes the first home game of the next season, with each of the players called out onto the field to receive their new hardware; a fitting way to end the long list of celebratory actions before getting back to the business at hand: winning the next championship.

But for 16 members on the roster of the  2011 varsity baseball team, there won’t be a chance to be back next season, as  they will be off to college and pursuing NCAA ball. Despite having no rings –  are given plaques instead – the 27 members of the 2011 champion Flyers still took the field Monday, this time sinking their cleats into the warning track of Citi Field in Queens instead of St. Paul’s in Glen Head.

The day had been arranged when pitcher Zach Grossfeld’s father, Michael, called a New York Mets representative in May asking if a pre-game honor was possible for the team. After verification of the team’s accomplishments in both the championship and the statistics submitted by members of the coaching staff.

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The team was also surprised with visits from Mets starter R.A. Dickey and legend Mookie Wilson to speak with the team before the game and a video tribute on the large centerfield scoreboard to cap off the experience. Dickey and Wilson’s appearances were made possible through leftfielder Ryan Hopke’s father Thomas, through a business association with the Mets’ front office.

“It was a memorable event and a great way to send a team with great athletic and academic accomplishments to college,” Grossfeld said via e-mail. “This team had the advantage and honor and privilege of being coached by men of outstanding teaching ability.”

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A total of 280 tickets were brought for the entire team as well as parents and family members to watch the on-field ceremony and game, which ended in a come from behind win for the Mets over the  to end the night.


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