The 12U Bulldogs entered the semi-finals as 1 of 3 teams to finish with a 4-0 record in pool play.  By virtue of the rounds allowed tie breaker they entered the semi’s as the #3 seed.  They received a no hitter performance from Jonel Ozuna and a Monster Home Run by Cesar Alverez to go to the finals with a 2-1 win.  The run allowed happening on a walk, steal, sacrifice and error.

In the Finals the Bulldogs waited little time jumping out to a 6 run lead in the bottom of the first with aggressive baserunning and timely hits.  Stealer defense held the losing team to 2 runs and they secured their second tournament Championship of the year.

Coach Perel pictured with assistant Coach Fabricio Benitez and Bulldog Co-Captains Alex and Chris, was honored by Positive Coaching Alliance and Liberty Mutual for the Duel Coaching Award.

Andrew J. Perel, Manhattan Youth Baseball Bulldogs (New York, NY)

Leading a team of players from “socioeconomic backgrounds that are wanting,” according to Perel, he emphasizes academic growth, demanding weekly progress reports and often taking calls from players seeking help in their studies. Perel’s approach to teaching life lessons through baseball on and off the field “has shown these kids that if they work hard enough, they can succeed at anything,” he said. “That’s what these kids really need, to be able to hold on to that dream, and that dream gets lateraled to their younger siblings and to the siblings’ friends, and it becomes contagious within the community.”

CYO/MYB first grader Matthew Olbrys, Dad Brooks wrote the childrens book series Blue Ocen Bob. Matthew and Brooks made a special visit to the CYO Children in the Grades for Play program at PS 57 this past December 20. He read the first book in the series Blue Ocean Bob finds his purpose, signed a book for each child and posed for this school photo. Thanks Brooks for helping the kids.

Lead by Manager Andy Perel, the 12U Bulldogs teamed up with the Sports Angels to help make sandwhiches which they then handed out along with blankets to the Homeless in Central Harlem this past Saturday December 11 with Sister Mary Lanning  and her YES we Can foundation.  On hand for the Bulldogs were Andy and Alex Perel, Jose, Brenda and Andy Lopez, Michael and Bradley Jamison, Delmer Chavarria, Anreidy Vasquez, Anthony Sr and Anthony Colandra Jr and Gehrig as well as al the other vollunteers who came out to help.

 Manhattan Youth Baseball maintains a program “Play for Grades” which is directed to help inner city children who do not have the resources to participate on a baseball team with the type of training and support we provide. 

 Our goal is to use baseball to create an environment that helps them improve their grades, have opportunities for better schools and become solid citizens that give back to their community.

 Once a child is given a scholarship into the program we contact his school and advise the school that we are now part of his families support team; we are alerted to any missed home works, slipping of grades and behavior.

 In 2008 the Bulldog team was created by such young boys.  Some had behavior issues, some learning disabilities.  Over the past two years they have steadily improved their behavior and their grades team wide by 20 percent.  Five of the young men are now applying to High Schools with solid “B” averages where we will continue to support them.

 The Bulldogs have been successful on the field as well; the core of the team is responsible for 1 International Championship, 1 National Championship and 2 Regional Championships with an undefeated Fall/Spring season over the past 2 years.

 I am appealing to you today as this team has been invited to defend its International Title in San Pedro, Dominican Republic in February 2011.  It is my hope to obtain a Corporation Sponsor or 5 Corporate Sponsors who can help us cover our travel expenses of $20,000.   This will cover airfare, hotel, ground transportation and food for the team and 2 coaches for the week.

 Your Corporation would have a banner at all games, clearly displayed on the team’s uniform and mentioned in every press release about the team.

 This past year we have reached 54 other children also from the inner city who have improved their grades and have exceeded expectations on the baseball field please find a way to help us continue improving the lives of children who do not have choices.