NB Baseball for 13-15 Year Olds About to Change
By Matthew Cannata | Sports Correspondent at March 20, 2024 | 9:00 am | Print
New Britain Little League and the New Britain Junior Hurricanes are forming the ultimate partnership that will change the face of upper level baseball in the city for years to come. For the past 14 years, New Britain Little League has exclusively offered upper level baseball for players ages 13-15 in the spring. Now, they are working with the Junior Canes to provide the best possible baseball experience for children in that age group.
Richard Gadomski, who is serving in his first year as president of New Britain Little League, said that the idea of forming a partnership popped into his head as he tried to figure out how to give the children of New Britain the best possible baseball experience.
“When it’s all said and done, it doesn’t matter what organization is providing the service to these children. It’s about giving these kids all of the resources that they need to help them develop and grow. There is no direct benefit to New Britain Little League with this. However, there is a huge benefit to the entire city and as these kids get older, it will directly benefit the New Britain High School baseball program. The NBLL Board of Directors saw this as a great opportunity for the youth of the city and we can’t wait to see the immediate and future benefits that this partnership will produce.”
Alex Torres, president of the Junior Canes program, said that this is an example of two programs working together to do everything they can to provide the best possible experience for the youth of New Britain.
“These are two very successful youth organizations working together to bring about a more positive experience for our youth and our parents will benefit this city tremendously. Not only for the participating youth, but as an example and a model of how youth organizations in New Britain could and maybe should be partnering in some way shape or form.”
The upper level baseball program will continue to remain affiliated with Little League International. The difference, according to Torres, lies in the more focused approach to a specific age group, which will increase the quality as well as the experience for the kids and parents. This means that these players will receive a higher quality of instruction, improved practice facilities, improved equipment and so much more that will allow them to become the best baseball player that they can possibly be.
Another change is that all of the teams will now be playing Little Leagues throughout the region instead of playing against each other throughout the season. This will allow for better competition and to give the players an opportunity to improve themselves against competition they’ll be seeing for the next several years.
The season length will remain the same, with practices already under way and games set to begin in April. The season will end before the middle of June to allow the athletes to play summer ball in their respective leagues throughout the city.
While New Britain Little League will be losing a heavy source of income and a piece of the league, Gadomski said that he’s made it a mission of his to do everything in the best interest of the children here in New Britain.
“This isn’t about money or anything like that. It’s all about the kids. The ultimate benefit will be when these kids are truly able to take that next step because of the improved coaching, facilities, equipment and resources that they will now have. I’ve already talked to a few parents about this and the reaction has been extremely positive. This is one of the best things to happen to youth sports in New Britain.”
For Torres and the Junior Canes program, this is just another step in the direction of becoming the ultimate feeder system for the high school.
“Our mission in football, cheerleading and baseball is to be a feeder system to the high school. Two years ago, we started a travel baseball team made up of seventh and eighth graders working closely with the varsity baseball coach Roberto Mercado in hopes to prepare these kids to be student athletes and the future of NBHS baseball. What this venture allows is for us to increase the pool of kids we can help prepare for the next level in high school.”
If you wish to register for the upper level division or if you have any questions, you may e-mail the Junior Canes organization: [email protected].
