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Store will close february 12, 2023
2023 Baseball season Forms
Each player must complete the following forms
Player Profile Information
Player Rule Contract
Player Waiver
Legion Player Contract
Thank you to our sponsors, especially Next Home Ocean State Realty Group &
Funny 4 Funds for an amazing night of laughter!
Save the Date !
Fundraisers to benefit our RI American Legion Baseball ProgramS
Saturday, February 4
Contact Don Ceseretti for further information and to purchase tickets
SATURDAY, MAY 13
Top Notch Golf Tournament at
Cranston Country Club
more information coming soon
tickets are selling fast. get yours now!
You won't want to miss this hysterical event!
For tickets and further information contact:
don ceseretti 401.563.5880
Mail checks directly to:
DON CESERETTI
109 thunder trail
cranston, ri 02921
Thank you to all our additional sponsors for making our funny funds night a huge success!
We want to especially thank sponsors
for their generosity in supporting our upcoming events.
Also, we want to thank the Cranston Country Club for supporting our organization in helping to defray costs to fundraise for our events.
We want to thank additional community contributors Mark Ross, Dr. Peter Simon, Elmwood Sports Center, Aaron Simon of Roseland Wealth Management , Kathy Autiello of Elle Salon and Spa, Senator Frank Lombardi, and Steve Merolla of the ACT Foundation.
Winter
workouts
JANUARY thru MARCH
Strength and Conditioning Training
13U
Wednesdays 7:00 - 8:00 PM
17U
Wednesdays 8:00 - 9:00 PM
Hitting, Pitching, Fielding Training
13U
Sundays 6:00 - 7:00 PM
17U
Sundays 7:00 - 8:00 PM
All trainings located at
Hops athletic performance
9 Lincoln Ave. Coventry, RI 02816
PURPOSE & SCOPE of American Legion baseball
- To inculcate in youth a better understanding of the American way of life and to promote the principles of 100 percent Americanism.
- To instill in the nation’s youth a sincere desire to develop within themselves a feeling of citizenship, sportsmanship, loyalty and team spirit.
- To aid in the improvement and development of the physical fitness of our country’s youth.
- To build for the nation’s future through our youth.
American Legion Code of Sportsmanship
I will:
- Keep the Rules;
- Keep Faith with my teammates;
- Keep my temper;
- Keep myself fit;
- Keep a Stout heart in defeat;
- Keep my pride under in victory;
- Keep a sound soul, a clean mind, and a Healthy body
meet Our TEAMS and
elite coaching staff
19 U GERSHKOFF AUTO BODY AUBURN POST 20 SENIOR AMERICAN LEGION -
TOURNAMENT BASEBALL COACHES
David Schiappa,
General Manager,
Head Coach
Dave Rathbun,
Associate Head Coach
d.rathbun@cox.net
Don Ceseretti ,
Assistant Coach
Mike Skorski,
Assistant Coach
Felix Diaz,
Pitching Coach
to read bios on these amazing coaches
17 U Gershkoff autobody - elmwood sports junior american legion showcase baseball STAFF
John Fontaine, Manager
Chuck Jones, Assistant Coach
Ron La Rocca, Assistant Coach
Randy Stoloff, Pitching Coach
13U GERSHKOFF
AUTO BODY - TOP NOTCH RENTALS
LIGHTNING ELITE
STAFF
David Schiappa, Manager
Joseph Pizzuti
James Milano, Pitching Coach
Migeul Nunuz, Assistant Coach
Frank Santo, Assistant Coach
BREAKING NEWS
Gershkoff - Top Notch lightning elite 13U tEAM is
now part of AMERICAN LEGION!
Our 13U has officially entered the 13U CT American Legion league. They will be competing for a league championship. We now have become a third Auburn Post 20 legion team in the program.
Get your gear SOON!
Store will CLOSE ON 2/5/23
2023 Season
Information
G
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UPCOMING GERSHKOFF TOURNAMENTS 2023 Season
our program's vision
My vision as the Gershkoff General Manager is to give youth all ages an opportunity to keep players together as one community where they play together and form friendships and bonds throughout the year. This includes winter, high school, fall, and summer seasons. Give families the opportunity to afford a program that believes in helping to make players good citizens first, students second, and players third. We can never make promises but we will help everyone with their purpose whether that be attend college/work/military and possibly play baseball in college. We can reach out to schools and coaches and also showcase players as best we can. Biggest motto is we are coaches for life and will always be there to help players throughout their life. Additionally, we are beginning to help the youth of our community by running clinics to support young players as they begin their journey. Ultimately we want to help all of our community to be the best we can be.
"With each and everyday we all can take one step forward to achieve our potential."
- David Schiappa
program Accomplishments
Steve Gershkoff has sponsored our program for the past 30 years. He has helped to develop the program into one of the most iconic baseball programs in the Northeast.
GERSHKOFF BASEBALL EXPERIENCES
“Throughout my three years playing for legion under Coach Schiappa I had many great experiences along with my teammates. I had the opportunity to play + compete with my “rivals” from Cranston East and travel to both Nashville and Alaska. The time together with my teammates and coaches not only made us more successful on the baseball field, but brought us together as a Cranston community.”
-Tom Barbieri, Former Gershkoff Player,
Currently plays at Endicott College
“Gershkoff Legion Baseball was not only great baseball but offered players experiences and opportunities on and off the field. The team brought together some of the best players throughout the community and represented Cranston in the state and country.”
-Tomas A. Barbieri, Former Parent
Past Principal Cranston High School West,
Current Principal Cranston High School East
“David Schiappa runs a great organization with very organized tournaments and a team which is perpetually competitive in the leagues they play in!”
-Steve Minicucci, JD,
Former Gershkoff Parent
“As a parent of two sons that played American Legion Baseball for Gershkoff Auto Body Post #20, I was always impressed with the quality of baseball played year in and year out! Both of my sons learned many lessons on the ball field about competing, succeeding, failing, Teamwork and never given up!”
“As parents my wife and I will always be grateful to Coach Dave S. for the time and commitment he has given to Legion Baseball!”
- Chris Hopkins, Former Gershkoff Parent and Assistant Coach,
Former Director of Special Olympics RI
“David is the ultimate competitor but with a sense of humor and respect in every aspect of his demeanor”
-Frank Devall Former Gershkoff Coach
Current Riverside Post 10 Junior
American Legion Assistant Coach,
Dean of Students Mount Hope High School
Testimonials
“Playing on a legion baseball team affords players the opportunity to be on teams with players from different parts of their community, who they may not have the chance to play with on a regular basis. Legion teams also travel to different places for tournaments, which is also another great opportunity for the players."
-Jeannine-Nota Masse, Gershkoff Parent,
Cranston Public Schools Superintendent
“Dave Schiappa is a husband, dad, son, and almost as importantly, a coach. A coach is a teacher of the basic fundamentals of the sport ( baseball ). His real job, and this is where Dave excels, is teaching young men and women that knowledge, respect and always learning is the path to being a productive adult. Dave sets examples as an educator and coach that will last his players a lifetime.”
-Steve Gershkoff, Former Parent and Manager
30-year Team Sponsor
“Our family’s experience with Cranston’s legion baseball program, Gershkoff Auto Body, was instrumental in the development and advancement of our baseball careers. It was an honor to represent our hometown on a nightly basis and play alongside other great players from Cranston. Playing for Gershkoff Auto Body allowed us to improve our skills and compete at a high level. To this day, we still cherish the memories we made winning championships and playing against teams from all across the country. We wouldn’t have wanted to play anywhere else.”
Matt Pagano, Former Gershkoff player,
Played at Marist College
Anthony Pagano, Former Gershkoff player,
Played at Stonehill College
Mike Pagano, Former Gershkoff Parent,
Member-Association Baseball
Umpires of Rhode Island (AURI)
since 2019
“Playing for Coach Schiappa helped me grow as both a baseball player and a person. Thanks to Coach Schiappa’s efforts, I was fortunate enough to compete against the best talent in the state and travel to multiple states around the country to participate in various tournaments. Legion baseball provided me with memories and life skills that I will always carry with me, and it’s one of the reasons I decided to come back as a Coach in the league. I highly recommend any baseball player who loves and is committed to the game to play Legion Baseball.”
-Ryan Long, former Gershkoff Player
Current Portsmouth High School and
R and R Post 7 American Legion
Baseball Coach Newport, RI
“David runs a tremendous baseball program with Auburn Post 20. He is organized, enthusiastic & tries to create experiences for his players. To me, this is what American Legion Baseball is all about! It was a pleasure to have his team in Illinois & David's hospitality while we were Rhode Island was great. David's long-time commitment to American Legion Baseball & Rhode Island's youth is an example for other programs across the country to emulate.”
-Jim Zacharewicz
Moline, IL Post #246
“I have been a supporter of the Auburn Post 20 baseball program under the leadership of coach Dave Schiappa. Paying for equipment, uniforms and travel is not easy. The young men participating benefit in many ways from the program. My donation is a great return on investment to help the program continue to thrive and grow. I encourage you to consider giving at your level of comfort.”
-Mark Ross, Retired businessman, active supporter of nonprofit organizations
who help those in need of assistance.
“Coach Schiappa is one of the best when it comes to organizing. He brings in the correct people to push his players to the best of their abilities. Coach Schiappa strives to teach his players responsibility, respect, and discipline. If you want the best for your child, look no further than Coach Schiappa.”
-Scott Malloy, Former American Legion
Board of Directors and
league umpire assignor.
Former MLB umpire, current
collegiate and high school board
certified umpire.
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