(Courtesy of BYBL) The Bergenfield Youth Baseball League is back for another exciting season! Last season, the Bergenfield Baseball League had over 160 players, ranging from second through eighth grade. Avi Rosalimsky, a longtime Teaneck resident, and youth leader, will be running the league once again, in a partnership with the popular Teaneck town baseball league (TBO). The Bergenfield Youth Baseball League was founded last season after Rosalimsky learned that residents of Bergenfield were not permitted to join the TBO league. The kids were missing out on a fun, yet competitive, baseball experience that their neighbors in Teaneck all had. Having grown up in Teaneck, Rosalimsky played and was an umpire in TBO. He felt he gained tremendously from the experience, and enjoyed the fun, yet competitive, atmosphere. He felt it was wrong that the residents of Bergenfield were being deprived of the opportunity simply because they lived one town over. Rosalimsky said, “TBO continues to be a tremendous resource for me in running this league, and I would like to thank them for the time and effort they committed to the cause.”
In addition to regular Bergenfield vs. Bergenfield games, BYBL plays many games against TBO teams as well. The teams play at both Votee Park and Bergenfield parks. This allows for the Bergenfield players to participate in the same level of competition as TBO players, and feel included in the greater youth league.
David Greenberg, the president of TBO, has been a tremendous force behind the success of the TBO-BYBL partnership, ensuring that both leagues are improving and collaborating. He commented, “We’re looking forward to continuing to work together with Bergenfield Youth Baseball to bring an even better baseball experience to both their players and our own. We’re especially excited that our TBO players have the opportunity to get on the field together with their many friends and classmates from just ‘north of the border.’”
Teams are coached by local parents, who receive training prior to coaching. The fundamentals of effective coaching and positivity are of paramount importance. Bergenfield parent Adam Mermelstein commented, “After the PAL Bergenfield baseball league closed, our children flocked to other sports. With the exciting opportunity of Bergenfield Youth Baseball that Avi Rosalimsky has led, the children of Bergenfield have the option to play baseball in a league that stresses sportsmanship, skill building and strong competition.”
According to Rosalimsky, “Our goal is to provide a dual-faceted experience for the boys, fun and competitive outlet of sports, as well as a focus on sportsmanship and fairness.” The league consists of four divisions, ranging from kindergarten to seventh grade. There will also be an eighth-grade all-star travel team. It will run from the beginning of April through the middle of June, and games are played on both Sundays and weeknights. Registration for the 2019 season has already opened and over 150 children have already signed up. The second season is poised to be a huge success.
To sign up please visit BergenfieldBaseball.org. Limited spots are available to New Milford, Englewood, Paramus and Fair Lawn residents as well. For any questions please email Avi Rosalimsky at [email protected].
By Avi Rosalimsky
