RCBC Ghost - Staten Island, NY

RCBC hosted a special tribute to former coach Anthony Sutter who passed away in January.  In his honor, a banner commemorating his playing days with Tottenville High School, St John's University and the Staten Island Yankees along with his time coaching at RCBC was unvieled.  Additionally, the RCBC Pressbox was renamed the Anthony Sutter Memorial Pressbox as a lasting tribute.  Anthony's family and friends were on hand to celebrate his life and achievements and his son and RCBC player Michael threw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the start of tournament action.

CLICK HERE FOR A REPLAY OF THE CEREMONY

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RCBC Members stepped up and raised money to help our local healthcare workers with food and supplies during the Coronavirus pandemic.  Via your generous donations, we raised $4,000 and made 12 food deliveries to local hospitals and nursing homes.  

RCBC held its free Baseball Coaches Clinic at CSI this past weekend for RCBC coaches as well as coaches from outside the program.  Attendees were treated to great advice on coaching techniques and player relationships from guest speakers Kevin Leighton (Fordham University), Jim Carone (Wagner College), Mike Mauro (CSI), Mike Grippo (Tottenville/RC) and Mike Hanrahan (Farrell/RC). "Our goal was to bring the coaching community closer together and share our knowledge of coaching" said Coach Nick DeFendis. "The clinic is a useful tool to educate any coach at any level."

Click here for more photos from the Clinic

THE JOHNNY RAY FOUNDATION

"Making A Difference, Honoring A Star"

The Johnny Ray Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that was established in 2010 to honor the memory of a young man who showed extraordinary talent in baseball.  Johnny Ray was an amazing son, student, baseball player, brother, friend and individual.  He played baseball for both the Richmond County Baseball Club and Moore Catholic High School.  On the night of October 24, 2009, his life was tragically taken in a car accident; a night that would forever impact the lives of those he left behind.

The Johnny Ray Foundation provides academic scholarships to young men and women who experience financial hardships trying to attend private high schools on Staten Island.  The Foundation's mission is to assist those with these complex circumstances by covering a portion of their annual tuition.  These students can benefit from the individualized attention that is associated with smaller private schools.

The Foundation is currently seeking funds to support us in this endeavor.  Your contribution has the opportunity to make a difference in the life of a student by providing a quality education.  The Foundation evaluates the success of the students throughout their four years and provides intervention strategies to ensure academic success.  

Johnny Ray lived a short life of only 16 years, but he left his mark on and off the ballfield.  His spirit remains among us and we can keep it alive through the Foundation's scholarship program.  Together we have the ability to reshape the future of our next generation.

Your tax deductible donations can be made to the Johnny Ray Foundation.  Please mail your check to 98 Tanglewood Drive, Staten Island, NY 10308.  If you are interested in buying a commemorative tee shirt, please click here.

Thank you for your generosity and continued support.

Nicholas DeFendis
President/Founder - The Johnny Ray Foundation

Xaverian High School captured the 2015 Johnny Ray Memorial Classic championship title, their 3rd in the 4 years of the event, with a 5-2 victory over St Joseph By The Sea in the championship game.  Xaverian had topped Lasalle 11-0 in their semi final while Sea won out 2-1 over Moore Catholic in the other.

Thanks go out to all the participating teams as well as the numerous volunteers who helped make this year's event a tremendous success.  Thanks also to all of the families and businesses that purchased sponsorship signs.  They will remain up at the complex throughout the 2016 season as a lasting tribute to Johnny Ray.

Xaverian High School defeated Salesian 4-0 in the championship game of the 3rd annual Johnny Ray Memorial Fall Classic.  This is the 2nd victory in 3 years for the Brooklyn-based Clippers.

Congratulations and thanks to all the participating schools, sponsors and volunteers who helped make this year's tournament a great success, and for raising funds and awareness for the Johnny Ray Foundation.

The 3rd annual Johnny Ray Memorial Fall Classic kicks off this weekend at the complex with 15 elite high schools competing for top honors.  The tournament honors the memory of Johnny Ray, a former RCBC and Moore Catholic High School star athlete who died tragically in a car accident in October 2009.

Come out to watch some great baseball and pay tribute to Johnny's legacy.  Special commemorative tee shirts are also available for purchase.  

For more information on the Johnny Ray Foundation, click here.

Click here for the tournament schedule.

 "We play as many, we pray as one"

The 2nd annual Johnny Ray Memorial Fall Classic tournament was held at the complex October 4-6.  12 elite high school teams participated with Salesian defeating Xavier in an exciting championship game.  The tournament honored the memory of Johnny Ray, a gifted RCBC and Moore Catholic High School athlete who died tragically in a car accident in 2009.

All proceeds from the tournament benefit the Johnny Ray Foundation which provides funds to deserving local athletes and their families.  Last year's tournament proceeds aided Staten Island victims of Hurricane Sandy.  If you are interested in making a donation, please contact Coach DeFendis at 917-299-9211 or make your check out to RCBC c/o the Johnny Ray Foundation and mail to 98 Tanglewood Drive, Staten Island, NY 10308.

Also, we have commemorative tee shirts available for $15 each.  If you are interested, please contact Coach DeFendis.

 View photos from the event 

JOHNNY RAY FOUNDATION TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS OF HURRICANE SANDY

 To all our Friends and Members

     We hope this message finds all of you safe.  

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all who have suffered damages to your homes and property.

Many members of our program are in need of your support.  

PLEASE HELP US HELP THEM

We are asking for ANY amount of donation.

 Make your checks out to

"Johnny Ray c/o RCYC"

 Mail to 98 Tanglewood Drive, Staten Island, NY 10308

All proceeds will benefit the members of RCBC who suffered great losses of property and life.

All funds will be monitored and distributed by committee members based upon need.

All donations are tax deductible via the Foundation.

Thank you for your support and kindness.  

Sincerely

Nick DeFendis

George Quinn

Richmond County Baseball

Congratulations to Xaverian High School for winning the first annual Johnny Ray Memorial Fall Classic at the complex September 29-30.  The Brooklyn squad went 4-0 on their championship run.  Thanks to all the participating schools (All Hallows, Bergen Catholic, Fordham Prep, Monsignor Farrell, Moore Catholic, St Joseph By The Sea, St Peters and Xaverain) as well as the many umpires and volunteers for making the event a huge sucess.

The tournament also introduced the formation of the Johnny Ray Foundation to benefit young athletes.  If you are interested in donating, please contact nick@rcbclub.com or 917-299-9211.

Coach DeFendis presenting the commemortive plaque to Johnny Ray's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Morales.

The first annual Johnny Ray Memorial Fall Classic will be held at the Richmond County Youth Complex September 29-30.  Eight elite high school teams from NY and NJ will compete: All Hallows, Bergen Catholic, Fordham Prep, Monsignor Farrell, Moore Catholic, St Joseph By The Sea, St Peters and Xaverian.  RCBC is donating the fields, baseballs and umpires for the 2 day event.  

The tournament will honor the memory of Johnny Ray, a former RCBC player and gifted athlete whose career and life were tragically cut short.  For more information on Johnny Ray, visit the link titled "This Is How We Remember Johnny Ray" under Headlines.   

The tournament will kick off with a brief ceremony at 8:30 am on Saturday to honor Johnny's memory.  All RCBC players are encouraged to attend in uniform.

Commemorative tee shirts will also be available for purchase at the complex over the weekend.  All proceeds will go to the newly formed Johnny Ray Foundation. 

So come out to watch some excellent high school baseball and pay tribute to Johnny Ray this weekend.  For the full tournament schedule, click on the Tournament link on the Main Menu.

THERE ARE NO WORDS TO DESCRIBE HOW THANKFUL WE ARE TO OUR BASEBALL FAMILIES FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT. IT MEANT SO MUCH TO SEE YOU ALL THERE TO HONOR OUR SON JONATHAN RAY.

THANK YOU TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FOR COMING TO THE WAKE, THE FUNERAL, THE PHONE CALLS, THE PRAYERS, THE CARDS, THE BASKETS, THE FLOWERS AND THE DONATIONS. YOUR KINDNESS IS OVERWHELMING AND VERY HUMBLING.

OUR SON WAS A HUGE GIFT TO US FOR 16 YEARS AND WE ASK THAT YOU PLEASE KEEP US IN PRAYER AS WE APPROACH OUR FIRST HOLIDAY SEASON WITHOUT HIM.

GOD BLESS YOU ALL

WITH LOVE AND GRATITUDE

LORI AND RAUL