Dutchess Debs: My Site News
2013-2014 12U MANAGER WANTED
If you are an experienced coach and interested in managing a 12U team in 2013-2014- beginning with our tryouts in July/August, contact Scott Syska at 845-401-5479.
Wednesday, July 4
Contact Scott Syska at 845-401-5479 with questions- or visit our team pages.
2012 Debs Organization
| President | Scott Syska |
| Vice President | David Ballantyne |
| Secretary | Linda Syska |
| Treasurer | Linda Syska |
| Board Member | Cory Rywalt |
| Board Member | Jerry Pfitscher |
| 18U Manager | Scott Syska |
| 16U Manager | Jerry Pfitscher |
| 14U Manager | Kevin Casey |
| 14U Blue Manager | Peter Rubin |
| 12U Manager | Mike Sheedy |
Monday, December 11
25 years and counting
Debs softball program endures, thrives
By Pete Colaizzo
Poughkeepsie Journal
Editor's note: The Dutchess Debs fastpitch softball organization is one of the original, age-group sports programs in the area. The Debs, founded by Clif Ong, are celebrating their 25th anniversary this year. Poughkeepsie Journal Players section editor Pete Colaizzo spoke with current Debs president Scott Syska about the organization's past, present and future.
Where did the name "Debs" come from in the first place?
It is short Debutante. It is probably the meekest name of any travel team out there.
Recreational sports for youths has become more and more specialized in the past several decades. Do you feel that in order for an athlete to succeed in a certain sport, they need to have a year-round commitment to that sport? Does the Debs program meet that need for its athletes?
For us, it is a 10-11 month season. I feel like you need to do it to keep up with the competition. We get part of August off and most of November. We practice in doors through the winter, and pitchers work on the side and at personal lessons through the year. However, most of players play multiple sports at one time or another and we never try to discourage it. At that age many kids are still unsure of what sport they like better, and sometimes they come back re-charged after playing something else for a while.
How did you get started working with the club?
My daughter joined the team after a winter clinic when she was 10. After a few months of coming to every practice and just being a parent, I guess the manager Mike Zagorski felt like I could contribute something more so he asked me to coach with him. I have been particularly blessed having the opportunity to coach players with huge hearts and pride. I wouldn't trade the opportunity to coach them for anything.
What is the mission of the club for its players and its coaches?
We want to give talented girls and young women the opportunity to compete against the best teams in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. Since most of the players have a lot of natural talent, we focus on refining those skills and teaching the mental part of the game. We spend a lot of time on game situation and strategy. For the most serious players that want to play in college we attend college showcase tournaments and help them develop academic/athletic profiles that will give a college coach insight into the experience of the player.
How many players and teams are involved in the Debs?
Each year, we have about 50 players. We field 12U, 14U, 16U and 18U teams usually with 12-13 player rosters. In the past, we have resisted the temptation of having a second team in an age group because we haven't been comfortable that we could support it with the same level of coaching, and we try to field the best possible team in that age group.
Another thing that we have stuck with that is a little different than many teams is that our teams are generally made up of older kids and younger kids (i.e. 14U is made up of 13s and 14s). Since we keep the players playing within their age group most of the time, every other year they get to be an older player and assume a different role on that team. Sometimes it may take a few weeks to adjust to new teammates or coaches, but we've seen quiet kids really develop into team leaders when they are the "old" kid.
To what do you attribute the longevity of the Debs program?
It takes a big commitment on everyone's part. I know in my years here we have been blessed with incredibly loyal players and parents. Most of the players think of their team as a second family, and often the parents' bonds are just as tight. They need to be since many weekends are spent together.
The leadership I've seen from our recently retired vice president Fred Miller, and the president when I started coaching, Steve Ciancio, was also key. Decisions are made by a board and always with the long-term success of the organization as a priority. People like Tim Schell, who maintains our Web site and orders equipment, and Debbie and Mike Reitemeyer, who have run concessions at our last two home tournaments, really stand out. In fact our treasurer, Mike Zagorski, stayed with the organization the year his daughter played with another team.
Pete Colaizzo can be reached at pcolaizzo@poughkeepsiejournal.com
General Meetings
The Dutchess Debs general meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month. 7:00PM at Aloy's Resturant in Poughkeepsie. All members in good standing are welcome.
