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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to play?
May 1 is the cutoff date for all age groups. For example, a senior player cannot turn 19 before May 1 of this year, nor can a junior player turn 17 before May 1, and a rookier player cannot turn 15 before May 1. Any player who meets these age requirements and who lives in the New York/New Jersey/Connecticut metro area is eligible to play ....go to the contact us tab for further information.
What should I do first, if I want to play Pirates?
Use the "Contact Us" tab and fill out the form right on this website. Let us know your age (including birth date), where you live, which school you attend, what level school ball you are playing, what position(s) you play. Also do you bat L/R, throw L/R?... and give us a phone number where we can reach you.
Is there an advantage to playing with players from around the county?
We think so..you will playing with some of the BEST players from the county. At this age you are still growing and learning. We feel that being teammates with other premier players helps your game and development. You grow as a person and a player. In the long run we feel that's best for you as well as your high school or college team.
If I don't make the team ,should I not try out anymore?
NO! Every season, all players must make the team again. Young players especially should not be discouraged by not making this year's team. Players change and so do our needs. Many times a player can be victim to what we call a "numbers crunch". We might need an extra pitcher and have to let a good outfielder go. The following season the situation could be reversed.
What if I'm a high school senior...can I play?
YES..depending on your age, you may have two years of Pirates eligibility left.
Where do the Pirate teams play?
Home games are played at the Rockland Community College field. Away games are played at various area fields We do travel to upstate New York, Staten Island, New Jersey and Connecticut for regular season games. The senior team will also make its annual road trip to southern California. This year the senior team will also make two trips to "College Level Showcases" in Flemington, New Jersey
Is there a certain kind of player the Pirates look for?
Yes. The Pirates look for players that play team baseball,and play several positions. In addition to that we are looking for players that work hard both on the field and in school. We prefer to have quality people that play good hard baseball with quiet confidence.
Why play Pirates, and not somewhere else?
It is our experience that you will face better pitchers, and pitch to better batters. We want players that look for that challenge. You will meet new teammates and skilled players from across the tri-state. Similar to what you would do in a college atmosphere(meet new talented players from all over). When you return to your high school or college team, you are better and your team will be better off because of it.
I've heard it's too hard to make the Pirates... Is that true?
Obviously the degree of difficulty changes with each season. But we will say this :the coaches have no children playing here, so all our roster spots are really up for grabs. Yes you'll need talent, but as we all know hustle and desire can beat talent sometimes. Access the "Contact Us" tab(use the form on this website) so we can watch you play on your school team. Then try to attend the interest meetings and tryouts. We have cut returning players, and kept new ones in the past..and we are sure it will happen in the future.
Do you sit the bench a lot?
Nothing could be further from the truth. We schedule so many games, and double-headers for the sole purpose of giving everyone playing time.
With so many games, is the pitching staff over burdened?
Our rosters (senior and junior) always look to have a good percentage of players that pitch (as well as play another position). We count pitches (although the numbers are not "strict" we are conservative). We have our pitchers(and all players)do a lot of running. We feel that a strong foundation for any player starts with strong legs. Between starts you'll be playing whatever other positions you play besides pitcher!
How are the practices run? Do you practice alot?
The practice schedule before the season starts works like this: we all practice together (junior and senior) individual postition drills, situations, hitting, pitching, baserunning, mental aspects, conditioning...it's all covered at the direction of Nick Farese who has coached at several county high schools as well as 19 years at the head of the Pirates (with 9 NYS titles!)The staff assists and meets after every pre- season practice to evaluate the team and discuss any changes or recommendations we may have....Once the season starts we play so often that practices are only scheduled if we really need them, or for special needs such as playoff preparation. ..Conditioning drills are done throughout the season. Players are worked with on an individual basis when needed, from day one until seasons end.
What about the little league team I'm on..do I have to quit?
NO! If you are on our JUNIOR or ROOKIE teams, we allow you to finish your junior/senior little league season including ALL-STARS. BUT, we do reserve the right to keep you on a conflicting day if we really need you. It's a rarity, but it could happen. Pitching is different...we usually don't want our pitchers throwing in non Pirate games. In general we don't mind working with local little leagues.
Summer travel teams are different. We don't allow players to miss games or practices to play with travel, pick up, or any teams of that nature.
SENIOR TEAM PLAYERS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO MISS GAMES OR PRACTICES TO PLAY ANYWHERE ELSE, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF YOUR SCHOOL TEAMS. AT ALL LEVELS YOUR SCHOOL TEAM COMES FIRST. WE NEVER HAVE AND NEVER WILL EXPECT A PLAYER TO MISS SCHOOL PRATICE, PROM, OR SPORTS DINNER. WE ALSO WORK OUR TRAVEL AROUND EXAMS. WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE THINGS MORE IMPORTANT THAN BASEBALL. WE TRY TO HELP YOU LEARN TO BUDGET YOUR TIME. IN SUMMARY, WE THINK YOU SHOULD ALWAYS FINISH A CURRENT OBLIGATION.
Is there alot of travel, and travel expense?
All junior and senior player overnight accommodations (hotels) are paid for by the team. We stay at clean quality hotels when we travel. Senior team airfare to California is paid by the team, as well as continental breakfast and some lunches in California. Parents who wish to travel to games must make their own arrangements. When you compare the Pirates fees to other teams it's still a financial bargain!
The majority of our games are played at Rockland Community College and Reisman Park so the out of pocket expenses are kept to a minimum.
How can parents be involved?
We are always looking for sponsors on our website. Feel free to mention your ideas on how to help to one of the administrators or coaches. Of course parents are not allowed to coach on either team.
What is the 'rookie' team like?
The team plays about 25-30 games. In the past, the competition has been excellent, and the team focus is on playing the 'pirate way'! Which is throwing strikes, getting ahead in the count (as a hitter or pitcher), good defense, situational hitting, and smart base running,just to name a few. And, of course, we like to have fun!
Overall it will be a great opportunity for 15 and some 14 year old players to become part of the pirates family and improve their game.
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