On a sunny, brisk Saturday morning at Grover Cleveland Park in Essex Fells, NJ Legends Baseball Instruction - LBI Parents and baseball players met to compete in the second annual LBI Father/Son game.  

After the leaves where blown off of the playing field players from both sides began their warm ups. The LBI player contingent went through their normal pre game activities, including running, stretching and throwing. While the parents tossed the ball around in the infield and where set to go. 

LBI players starting pitcher Anthony Stirone baffled the "Dads" with his knuckle ball most of the two frames he pitched, however, the dads jumped out to an early lead which they held going into the final frame. The home team LBI players started the seventh and final inning down 6 - 4 with their most dangerous batters coming up. The "Dads" starting pitcher coach Jason Dee, who pitched the entire game, started to tire and looked around for relief, but continued when no dad came forward to bail him out. 

LBI players mounted their come back and loaded the bases with Brock Donnelly stepping up to the plate. Brock had been injured for the better part of the fall season serving as designated hitter. He stepped up to the plate with the bases full of teammates and like Kirk Gibson did for the LA Dodgers, limped around the bases clapping and cheering his teammate’s home to victory. Brock's solid line drive to right center was flagged down by the dads hustling outfield, however, the relay throw was late and the team jumped for joy before lining up and shaking hands with their "opponents". Both teams posed for a Father/Son photo and walked off the field in unison to a well deserved lunch.

It was an exciting conclusion to a well played, fun game. "It was great to see the boys, fathers and siblings play together today" said LBI 12U Fall Blue coach Joe Stirone, “The boys are showing that they will continue to be a worthy adversary in years to come. We (the parents) need to step it up for next year”. 

LBI takes the next two months off to enjoy the holiday season and spend quality family time. However, one set of parents said "now what do we do without baseball?” LBI will be back in action beginning in January 2016 with LBI Hitting Clinics and Pitching Clinics. Team indoor spring training begins February 21, 2016.

97 days and counting.

Enjoy the holiday season - Tony Santomauro

Let’s go Legends!