Mets players and Mr. Met visit Hillel Day Camp

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For the third year in a row campers at Hillel Day Camp were treated to a day of fun with a pair of New York Mets players when infielders Wilmer Flores and Bronxite T.J. Rivera visited on July 21.

Hillel Day Camp is an Orthodox Jewish camp for children ages 2 though 15. Camp Director, Ari Solomon said, “We have about 15 to 20 coaches that are phys. ed. teachers or certified coaches that work with our kids in all the major core sports. We thought today would be a great day to bring down a few Mets to work out with our guys to reward them for their efforts.”

The kids split off into two groups and had either Flores or Rivera pitch to them. After taking their swings the kids formed a line for autographs. The camp provided photos of the two players, but many campers had their own memorabilia, hats, baseballs and shirts that they asked the players to sign.

Despite an even mix of Yankee and Mets fans among the campers there were smiles all around. Jacob Grossman, one of the coaches and a self-described hardcore Mets fan himself said the kids have been looking forward to this day, “100 percent, they’ve been very excited about it, meeting the players every year is really great for them.”

Coby Agamie, 9, has met other players in previous years but was excited nonetheless. “[My favorite part] is getting the autograph and then getting to hit,” the Mets fan said.

Cooper Sobel, also 9, was especially excited to meet Rivera and Flores as he said his father was getting them tickets to a game very soon. His favorite player, Yoenis Cespedes, may not have been there, but Sobel was still beaming after getting an autograph.

Solomon believes that everyone gets something out of events like this, “[The kids are] having a great time, they love seeing the stars come out … I think the stars like to come out to play with the kids as well.”

It would appear that Solomon is right, “It’s giving the kids something to smile about …” Rivera said, “it’s really for the kids, just let them enjoy some time with the players.”

Flores agreed, “It’s the smiles on their faces, it’s really cool … whenever I was growing up I never had this in my schools so I really like doing this for the kids.”

Hillel’s second session began July 26. Camp officials are working on getting another athlete to visit, but nothing has been officially scheduled yet. They also expect their partnership with the Mets to continue next year.