These baby falcons are learning to fly early.
The Locust Valley Varsity Baseball Team boasts one of the youngest lineups made up of middle school calls on Long Island.
“When I took over the program three years ago, there were 10-15 seniors who had graduated,” 28-year-old manager Brian Rorsoso told his team’s post.
“We valued young people and I think we’ve raised them in the 15th grade range over the past few years.”
Lorusso and coaches Andrew Bock and Rob Desimone know that Endgame is not about this Falcon season. They only won two games 1-9 last year, but instead focuses on turning the next generation’s page.
And the team believes that the day will come sooner than later.
8th grade
“I believe that when we were in high school, we can definitely dominate the league,” said Mason Terana, an eighth-grader, the fielder on the left.
“We will become bigger, stronger and more experienced than everyone else on the other team.
Young recruits – Lorsa have been calling about 5-7 per season since helmed – get the opportunity to walk and learn from their old counterparts.
“It can be scary every time I see it, like a kid on the mound a little above the average for my age group,” said 8th Grade Right Fielder Alex Carusos. “But I go to other people and they always help me. I can just be calm and feel more comfortable.”
Junior shortstop Liam Baker was one of the first people to be called in a middle school experiment a few seasons ago. Now, as a high class, he still finds the concept “great.”
“I want to play for someone older than me who doesn’t have much time,” he said.
“And you’re playing against a kid who’s four or five years older than you, so you’re a little nervous, but that taught me to lead an example.”
Baker embraces his leadership mentality and brings his younger teammates “under my wings” to demonstrate the team’s core values.
Hits and fun
The lonely seniors of the Nassau County team, Pitcher Shawn Lions and second baseman Chris Janukakis, are also keen to see Locust Valley go to the well.
It’s surreal that seniors are in the minority, but Lyon is excited to see the next generation of talent get off to a quick start. More than the skills he feels that come naturally, the Lions said it lies with older players who communicate cooperative habits and enjoy playing.
“We’re loudly on the bench, cheering on our teammates and teaching them that to the future of this program.”
As it stands, close teams come together in a small way, such as calling Lorusso “skip” as the term “love.” The winning camaraderie of the program attracts more talent to join the team, Gianoukakis said.
“There are a lot of possibilities… there’s definitely a big change from what we had years ago, where there were few people who wouldn’t even try to play,” the senior added.
“After losing 13 seniors a year or two ago, I wasn’t expecting this. So this is a big change and I hope LV baseball wins the county championship.”
Lorusso also wants to see his unorthodox approach. He had to be approved by the school’s athletic superintendent, but one day he’ll be late and faster, and one day he’ll pay off.
“It’s great to see their development, but we’re facing older kids and hoping that it really translates,” he said.
“We don’t get as much victory as people who get better every day. We talk about getting 1% better each time. And yet we hope we squeal the playoffs.”
