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CYA - PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
Hello Connetquot Youth Association Community,
I want to take this time to introduce myself. My name is Michael DiFilippo, and I was recently voted the CYA Board President. You may have seen me around the CYA Complex running from one field to another (I am the short guy that can not stand still… LOL) prior to the games to make sure the fields are in shape, and coaches are all set and ready to play.
We have a great community here at the CYA, and I regard this position highly and consider it a privilege to serve. I will do my best to continue to promote the reason why we are here. We are here FOR THE KIDS. We cannot lose sight of this important fundamental cause. Our Mission Statements reads:
“The Connetquot Youth Association is a non-profit organization dedicated
to developing and enhancing the skills of young ball players through
encouragement and instruction while maintaining a high degree of good
sportsmanship and patience.”
This being said, we need to maintain our persistence that education of the game is paramount to any personal agenda. The education of this game, if done appropriately, will carry throughout our player’s lives. I want to share with you an email that some of you may have seen. It comes from Bruce Lambin AKA “THE COACH”:
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TIPS FROM THE COACH
Like no other team sport, baseball teaches individual responsibility for one’s actions. You booted it. YOU made the error. You K’d, YOU make the long walk back to the dugout. A player must EARN the right to have success playing baseball. No one ever just walked out onto the field possessing the skills to play the game well.
Recently, a young man introduced himself to me and reminded me he had played for me when he was 9. He had been new to the community. He had never played baseball. He just wanted to make new friends. I had challenged him to work to develop skills to be able to help the team. He realized that he didn’t want to let down his new friends and teammates so he worked hard to uphold his responsibilities to the TEAM. He only played a few years but wanted to thank me for helping him to become the man he is today. Although, 17 players that have played for me have gone on to make it to THE SHOW, I could not have been more proud of them than of the young Marine captain who was standing in front of me.
We are not just teaching kids baseball skills. We are not just about winning trophies. We are not supervising an aerobic playground activity. We should be challenging young players to strive to develop skills that will allow them to help the TEAM to be successful. We are teaching lessons in life from a little boy’s games that hopefully will help them to become successful doctors, or lawyers, or cab drivers or plumbers or MARINE CAPTAINS. Sempre Fi!
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Of course this league is not run by one person. I have the privilege to be part of the 'Executive Board' team that volunteers their time to make things better for our players.
Charlie LaRosa – our Treasurer; who has been here since before the first pitch was thrown; is the Rock of the back office of the CYA. Very little is done around this organization without the input or support of Charlie. His energy and passion for this organization is unparalleled.
Tom Kateridge – our Vice President; has great ties to the Connetquot Community and brings a great deal of new ideas to the organization. An endless source of forward progress is something that we are looking to leverage year after year.
Steve Smith – our Players Agent; has been a great resource in consulting the renovation of our fields. Steve also has the interpersonal skills required to work with our players in placing them in the appropriate division.
Kathy McCormick – our Travel Softball Coordinator; brings years of experience to this league. Having children of her own that have come and gone through this league, her vision is steadfast and true to the organization.
George Raniolo – our Travel Baseball Coordinator; offers much experience and organization to our travel program. His drive to maintain the balance of the CYA travel program and in-house play is a great resource for this community.
Please look at the contact list on the menu for a full list of CYA Board Members. All of which volunteer their time at the CYA complex.
Lastly, everyone you see working around the CYA complex, parents and Board Members alike, volunteers their time to groom the fields so they are ready for play, work the snack stand, get the uniforms and trophies together, etc. Please come down and help out. A little of your time will go a long way for our children. Remember, we are here for the kids: yours and ours!
CoachMike
Mike DiFilippo
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