Ward leaves legacy at VSS

Though a four-game losing streak against Conference A-IV rivals cost Valley Stream South a spot in the Nassau Class A baseball playoffs, the Falcons gave longtime coach Ken Ward a victorious sendoff with a 12-0 victory over East Rockaway in the finale on May 9.

“It was a pleasure,” Ward said of his varsity stint at South, which began in 1989 after he coached at the JV level for seven years. “We had some great seasons and we had some not-so-great seasons, but that’s baseball,” he added. “It was a privilege to coach so many outstanding young men.”

South finished 9-9-1 in the retiring Ward’s final campaign at the school. He totaled 352 wins, all but 8 at VSS, six conference championships, and six Coach of the Year awards. Senior All-County selection Luis Dono (.500 average, 5 homers, 29 RBIs) starred in the finale with two homers and seven RBIs, while junior All-Conference honoree David Peralta tossed a shutout for his fourth win of the year in six decisions. Senior All-League selection Chris Hess had a few hits to raise his average to .355. “It was my last game at South, but I’m hoping to coach somewhere next year,” Ward said.

About midway through Ward’s tenure, an annual two-day trip to Cooperstown became a staple. The Falcons developed a friendly relationship with Unatego High School beginning in 2002 and the teams would play a scrimmage game at Doubleday Field on the grounds of the Baseball Hall of Fame.

“Cooperstown is a flashback in time,” Ward said. “Just visiting Main Street alone is a tour in itself. The Hall of Fame is a special place for anyone who has an appreciation of baseball. Every year on the bus ride back home, all the kids would talk about is what a great time they had. It was a bonding experience.”

Frank Alesia, a 2001 South graduate who played two full varsity seasons under Ward and then served as the Falcons’ third base coach under Ward from 2005-07, has fond memories of the trips upstate. “Ken always looks to show kids the right way,” said Alesia, who took over Valley Stream Central’s varsity program in 2008. “He helped me a lot as a player and as a coach,” he added. “He has a great knowledge of baseball and is well-respected by all the umpires and other coaches.”

Alesia and Steven Corea are believed to be the only former players of Ward’s to become a part of his coaching staff. Two other grads, Matt Krause (1991) and Charles Ristano (2001), are in the midst of impressive careers in baseball. Krause is strength and conditioning coach in the majors, now with the Yankees after a lengthy stay in Cincinnati, and Ristano serves as the pitching coach at Notre Dame.

As far as memorable games, Ward recalled a 2010 matchup against Sewanhaka. The Falcons gave up 10 runs in the first inning but battled back for a 15-14 victory.

“I’ve got a lot of fond memories,” Ward said.