Playing for the Team NY Cardinals for seven seasons, this organization practically raised me. The inspiring coaches I have had the past 7 years have prepared me for college and beyond. This organization has done so much for me on and off the baseball field. The coaches I’ve played for were not only knowledgeable but helpful in guiding me in the right direction in school and in life. I have had opportunities to play in front of major league scouts, division 1 schools and to travel around the country for showcases and tournaments. I also had some priceless experiences such as talking baseball with Tony Gwynn at San Diego State University. I have played with future pro players and have great friendships with many of my teammates. By playing with some of the best in the Northeast and playing against some of the best, the Cardinals allowed me develop myself into the best baseball player and person I could be. I am forever thankful for the opportunity I had to play for a winning “family” for 7 straight seasons. I would not be where I am today without the help of the Team New York Cardinals.

 

Charles Foster Jr. (1997-2003)
North Florida Community College ’05
2003 Baseball America/Perfect Game 16th ranked player in NYS

 

 

 

Playing for the Cardinals was a dream of mine since playing little league. Being a part of the Cardinal family gave me a great opportunity to play with future college and professional ballplayers, and at the same time give myself the exposure to eventually play college ball. The organization provided me tremendous exposure, which afforded me a division one baseball scholarship to up and coming Stony Brook University, then assisted me in playing for the Hyannis Mets in the Cape Cod league. I have made friends with both teammates and coaches, such as Ian Millman, who still helps me with my pitching mechanics while I’m home from college. Joining the Cardinals family is a lifelong commitment, and I will always be there to help them in the future, even though it will never be enough to pay them back for all they did for me as a ballplayer and a person.

 

Jonathan Lewis (1998 – 2001)
Stony Brook University ’05
2001 PSAL Iron Horse Award Winner
2002 America East Rookie of the Year
2002 Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American (Honorable Mention)
2003 Hyannis Mets Cape Cod League
2004 Bourne Braves Cape Cod League
2005 16th round draft pick, Florida Marlins

 

 

 

Playing for the Cardinals has been my best baseball experience yet in my life. Not just playing AGAINST the best, but also playing WITH the best. There are not a lot of teams out there that said they can beat the infamous Bayside Yankees 5 out of 6 in one season. But more importantly, the coaches care about each and every player. The coaches have played and/or instructed at the highest level of baseball. I have memories that I will never forget on and off the field. Friends that I will stay in touch with as long as I live. And I can honestly say that on the Cardinals I have played with several future professional baseball players. The Cardinals for me, did more for my future than they anyone can imagine. whether it be recruiting or just making me a better player. They gave me the opportunity to become a better player by putting me in a position to play against the best. I will always be a Cardinal, and appreciate what they have done for me. My only regret was that I was only a Cardinal for two years.

 

Sean O’Brien (2002-2003)
Virginia Tech University ’07
45th Round Draft Pick – 2003 – Montreal Expos
2003 Baseball America/Perfect Game 10th Ranked player in NYS
2004 NECBL Danbury Westerners
2004 1st team All Big East
2004 Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American

 

 

 

Coming from North Carolina, I was risking a lot by coming north to play for the Cardinals organization. I had played 10 TOTAL innings of varsity baseball at my high school in New Bern. When I arrived in New York, the Cardinal coaches were able to get me on the field and work with me personally on my strength, my mechanics, and my overall baseball knowledge.

The Cardinal organization has made every effort possible to help me succeed in life and in baseball. They were able to get college coaches to come and watch games, and eventually help me earn a division one college scholarship. The Cardinal organization taught me about hard work, dedication, determination, goal setting, and good sportsmanship that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

he staff of the Cardinals is a first class coaching staff that helped to develop my skills from high school through college and hopefully into the pros. I would highly recommend any player that has a chance to play in this organization to take full advantage of it, because they are in a class by themselves.

 

Buddy Bengel (2001)
Quinnipiac University ’04
2002 Coastal Plains League
2003 NECBL Newport (RI) Gulls
2003 2nd Team all NEC selection
2004 Baseball America Pre-season 1st team NEC All-Conference
2004 New Haven Cutters (Northeast League)
2005 Elmira Pioneers (Can-Am League)

 

 

 

Deciding which team to play for the summer before my freshman year in college was a big decision. I was looking not only to play against great competition but also to surround myself with great players and coaches so that I constantly had people behind me, pushing me, making me better, and I found just that in the Cardinals. I can say with confidence that I played with many future professional baseball players and we all made each other better. Both Coach Millman and Coach Foster passed on their knowledge of the game to me and the rest of the players, and without a doubt taught me things that made me a better pitcher, hitter, and all around player.

Playing for the Cardinals was a great experience. As the saying goes “To be the best, you must beat the best” and during my time with the Cardinals we did just that scheduling the toughest competition around and knocking them off. This allowed us to be recognized as one of the premier teams in the Northeast. And, after testing our skills against the best from around the US in the USABF World Series in San Diego, we were able to end the season recognized as one of the best programs in the nation. Ultimately, playing for the Cardinals has prepared me for college baseball and the next level altogether. Once you’re a Cardinal you become part of the Cardinal family for life. Coaches Millman and Foster still help me to this day, be it through giving me advice or getting my name out there and talking to people that will help me in my future. I’m grateful that I had the opportunity to play for such a great organization and appreciate everything they’ve done for me.

 

Anthony Smith (2003)
St. John’s University ’07
2003 Baseball America/Perfect Game 8th Ranked player in NYS
2004 Atlantic-10 Rookie of the Year
2004 1st team All A-10
2004 Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American
2004 Baseball America 1st Team Freshman All-American
2005 Baseball America Top 10 2-Way Player
2005 Chatham A’s Cape Cod League

 

 

 

 

Who would have ever thought that a trip to the batting cage with a few high school friends would end up being the turning point in my life? I was given a chance to play for one of the most respected teams on the East coast, the Team NY Cardinals. The entire Cardinals staff taught me how to bring intensity to the field, in a quest to beat the best. This summer we did something the area baseball programs might have never done-we beat the Bayside Yankees Americans 5 out of 6 times. The thing that is so special about the Cardinals is it is not just a team, but a family. Playing for this team gave me an opportunity to play with people I’ve heard about and read about. The Cardinals staff helps bring in all of the area’s top schools as well as THE BIG GUYS, giving us players our shot to be seen. Thanks to the the efforts of the coaches, I obtained a scholarship to the University of Stony Brook, and was given the opportunity to attend the Perfect Game National Tournament in Jupiter, Florida. We train to be the best. In order to be the best you have to work harder than the rest. That is what the Cardinal Organization prides itself on, making us not just better athletes, but better people.

 

Thomas Koehler (2003-2004)
Stony Brook University ’08
2004 Baseball America/Perfect Game 4th Ranked player in NYS, # 219 Nationally
2004 Rawlings 1st team All-Region
2005 America East All-Rookie 1st Team

 

 

 

When I joined the Team NY Cardinals organization I was far from my full potential. I had never really been given the opportunity to do so, being cut EVERY year by my high school team. The coaches on the Cardinals believed in me, which made me believe in myself. We worked together endlessly on conditioning and drills to improve my mechanics. Thanks to their continued efforts, I was able to add 15 MPH to my fastball over 3 years, and get signed by a Division I university on an athletic scholarship.

Over the span of three season I played on highest level of summer baseball in the area. We not only faced the best teams around the country, but we beat them.

Being part of the Cardinals organization has been a choice that allowed me to grow exponentially as a player and a person. I have been able to take my game to the next level while enjoying friendships and memories that will last a lifetime. Forever a Cardinal…

 

Brian Honeyman (2001-2003)
St. Francis College (NY) ’07
2004 ACBL Outstanding Pitcher Award Winner
2005 New Bern River Rats – Coastal Plains League

 

I never really thought that playing for a summer team would have such an impact on my future. The Team NY Cardinals have opened doors for me that i never thought were possible. Through the hard work of all the coaches they have shown me the proper dedication it takes to be a true champion. The coaches not only gave me and opportunity to obtain a scholarship to North Florida Community College, but gave me a chance to play in front of the top scouts around the nation during the Perfect Game National Tornement in Jupiter, Florida. It was one of the best experiences I have ever had in playing the game of baseball. I want to wish the Cardinals nothing but success, and tell their players to work hard for their coaches. I want to thank the organization again for helping me achieve my dream of playing college baseball in Florida and will never forget what they have done for me.

 

Kenny Grassano
North Florida Community College ’06
2004 Baseball America/Perfect Game 18th ranked player in NYS
2004 High School 1st team All-State selection

 

 

 

Playing for Team NY Cardinals was a great experience. I’ve played on some of the better summer teams in the northeast, but never had a sense of family like I did with the Cardinals. Having played against the Cardinals for 4 years, I knew they were one of the top programs around. The guidance of coaches Millman, Everett and Foster turned out to be one of the most beneficial baseball experiences of my life. This organization really cares about you as a player, not just winning at all costs. You would have to be a Cardinal to understand. The team is a family. The coaches are your parents, the players are your brothers. Team NY Cardinals gave me to opportunity to play against some of the best players in the country, and the chance to travel to Canada, Maryland and San Diego- which is the best baseball trip of my life! Finishing 2nd at the World Series is nothing to be sorry about. I want to thank the coaches for treating me like a son, and the players for giving me a new group of brothers.

 

Matthew Acevedo
Young- Harris (GA) Junior College ’06
Team NY Cardinals 18u single season HR leader (8)