NY Gothams: Welcome
The NY Gothams youth baseball program was founded in 2000 to provide talented New York City baseball players an affordable opportunity to improve their skills, extend their sportsmanship and compete at the highest levels of play. The Gothams places a large emphasis on helping players make the connections and receive the exposure that can assist them in gaining entry to quality New York high schools and colleges, and boasts many alumni who are now or have played college ball, with scholarships often provided. Our players come from a wide variety of socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds and represent the broad diversity of the City itself.
The NY Gothams has always stressed community outreach and since its inception has offered scholarships to players in financial need. MLB recognized the organizations efforts with a $10,000 grant through its Baseball Tomorrow fund. The NY Gothams extended that goal internationally when it organized a collection of uniforms and equipment for Homerun Hopefuls, a charitable organization that distributes its collections to children in need in the Dominican Republic.
The NY Gothams will field five teams in 2009: 13U, 14U, 15U, 15U Red, 17U and 18U, providing competitive baseball for more than 90 players. (NOTE: This site was recently relaunched. If you are seeking historical information on NY Gothams rosters, click here.) The summer and fall seasons extend from June to November with teams playing up to 60 games in regular and tournament competition. Professional coaches and staff conduct practices in pitching, catching, fielding, hitting and conditioning. Players interested in trying out for a team attend a workout/tryout held at Pier 40 in Downtown Manhattan, which includes both an indoor and outdoor workout space.
In a reflection of the NY Gothams’ belief that our players should pursue their education with the same intensity they do sports, the NY Gothams were excited to add an educational component to the program, instituting study hall as part of the workouts. In 2010, the organization will further strengthen its commitment to shaping student athletes by offering low-cost SAT prep classes to interested players.
2009 Highlights: The 13U-16U NY Gothams won a total of six first-place trophies and placed second during tournaments played during summer and fall 2009 tournaments. Teams traveled nationwide and played in a variety tournaments including AAU, Blue Chip Prospects, Diamond Nation, ECTB, Triple Crown Sports and World Wood Bat, many of which were invitational only. As organized by Program Director, Francisco Perez, the organization took its annual trip to the Dominican Republic during Thanksgiving, where the team went 6-0 against local talent and more importantly learned an invaluable lesson about baseball’s ability to bring people of all backgrounds together.
Staff
Director of Baseball Operations: Francisco Perez: email contact
President: Ira Persky: email contact
