The Freeport Pitbulls hit double home runs

The Pitbulls, Freeport’s 8U travel baseball team, achieved an impressive feat by clinching two championship titles in just one week, garnering recognition from Mayor Robert T. Kennedy and the village of Freeport for their hard work and dedication.

The Pitbulls displayed their exceptional skills during the Memorial Day weekend, where they competed in five games over three days and emerged victorious in the Hot Stove Suffolk County Gold Glove Tournament.

Additionally, on June 4, they triumphed in the Hot Stove Spring Training 8U Union title, securing an undefeated record and defeating their rival, the Merrick Mayhem team.

This travel baseball program provides children with opportunities to participate in winter clinics and play during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. Families benefit from the affordability of the program, which offers the travel team experience at a fraction of the cost compared to most leagues. The program’s motto is to get “kids in cleats and off the streets.”

Becoming part of the travel team requires dedication from both the players and their families. Isabel Lezcano-Ramirez, a parent volunteer and mother of one of the 8U players, commended the young athletes’ hard work and highlighted their ability to balance academics and athletics at a young age.

“Most of the kids play on two teams because they want to play at that competitive level,” Lezcano-Ramirez explained. “We always tell them the school comes first. It’s a little tough but these kids are strong, they’re resilient, they want to play, they make it happen.”

Reflecting on the team’s championship victories, Lezcano-Ramirez emphasized their significance and the broader impact on the community.

“Winning was really something so big for all of them and the community at large,” Lezcano-Ramirez said. “It showed that you don’t need to just have money to be able to play travel baseball. It’s more than just paying someone. It’s great to teach your kid to be supportive community members, supportive parents, and it’s great for kids who just want to play.”

Jennifer LaScala-Gomez, another dedicated parent volunteer, underscored the program’s value and its positive impact on the Freeport community.

“The program is growing, and we’re really proud of the progress that we’ve made,” LaScala-Gomez said. “We’re excited to offer this kind of experience at a reasonable cost so that our kids get to have that travel experience and play year-round. It teaches them not only baseball but also important life lessons, like perseverance and resilience.”

With their recent achievements and the dedication of invested coaches, the Pitbulls’ success symbolizes the growth and positive outcomes of the program, both on and off the field.