While the world watches what’s happening inside the iconic Yankee Stadium, across 161st Street, there’s plenty of action.
It's the site of the old Yankee Stadium. It is currently the training grounds for what could be the next generation of baseball legends.
“It almost feels like even playing for the Yankees, you know, playing on historic grounds,” Yeidry Suarez said.
What You Need To Know
- The Yankees continue their playoff run, having made it to the ALCS
- Across from Yankee Stadium is the site of the old Yankee Stadium, which is now the training grounds for what could be the next generation of baseball legends
- Morris Baseball, coached by Tony Osoria, is made up of 10- to 15-year-olds, including those who have dreams of playing for the Yankees one day
Bronx-born Suarez is the starting shortstop for Morris Baseball. The 14-year-old’s Little League team plays year-round, but only comes out here in the spring and summer months for games. On a recent visit, they showed off their skills for NY1.
“Playing with people that I’ve been [with] for a long time, you know, I really love these guys out here,” Suarez said.
The team is made up of 10- to 15-year-olds, and they play in partnership with the nonprofit Grand Slam Foundation, which aims to help young people lead successful lives through sports. There are no restrictions on where the kids need to live to join Morris Baseball. Kids often join after learning about the team by word of mouth.
“It’s always been a dream for me to play at Yankee Stadium, so every time I play and I just look at it, it’s a really big inspiration,” Suarez said.
Suarez’s teammate, 13-year-old Tommy Paulino, who is being raised in the Bronx, also has dreams of playing for his favorite baseball team.
“My dad was a Yankees fan growing up, so it started to get my attention and so I started to become a Yankees fan too,” Paulino said.
Suarez’s mother, Charolin Guzman, says she only got into baseball because of her son. The family attends regular season games and has plans to see the Yankees in the playoffs.
“I can remember when he was little telling me that he like to play. He wants to play at the Yankee Stadium one day,” Guzman said. “I want to support him 100%.”
Head coach Tony Osoria has been coaching for more than two decades, and applies to the city Parks Department every year for the permit to play. He knows some of his players have the potential to one day play across the street — his goals for them are bigger.
“I have four boys, and three of them went to college through baseball, and that’s the reason that I keep doing it, so more kids from the neighborhood can go to college, and get a scholarship, and stay outta the street,” Osoria said.
A chance to go all the way, but the coach hopes for an out-of-the-park home run — a lifetime of happiness, whatever field they wind up playing on.
It costs around $200 to play on Morris Baseball — or less — depending on how much a parent can afford. Osoria says he’s flexible on that, because he wants to make sure every child has an opportunity to play baseball.
Meanwhile in Queens, the Mets on Sunday lost to the Dodgers, who scored put up nine runs against the Amazins. They’ll look to bounce back Monday afternoon for game two.