11u Baseball Team Falls in Quarterfinals of Capital Cup After Aidan’s Cowardly Performance

ALBANY, N.Y.--The Selkirk Slammers 11U baseball team was cruising into the semifinals of the Capital Cup. Until Aidan Santangello started pitching.

The young right-hander took the ball in the top of the fourth inning with his team holding a 7-3 lead. The wheels quickly came off.

After a lead-off walk, Santangello hit the next two batters to load the bases. He fell behind 2-0 to the next batter before serving up a thigh-high fastball that got mashed for a grand slam.

The dramatic turn shook up the 11-year-old hurler. He walked the next batter as a teardrop formed in the corner of his right eye. After a single and another walk to load the bases, the young coward was sobbing.

Slammers coach Jim Finkel pulled the pitcher, but the damage was done. The Slammers ended up losing 15-7.

“Aidan crapped the bed,” said coach Finkel. “We needed him to do a job, and he didn’t get it done.”

Some of Santangello’s teammates were even more critical. “Aidan shouldn’t pitch,” said Connor Dryzbak. “We always lose.”

A win would have sent the Slammers into the semifinals of the Capital Cup, which is among the most prestigious tournaments in the Albany area and draws teams from as far as 10 miles away.

Santangello’s catcher, Richie Peruso, had a simple explanation for Santangello’s struggles. “I put the mitt here, and he pitches it over there. I put the mitt over there, and he pitches it over here.” Aidan Santangello declined to comment.

Tony Santangello, Aidan’s father, felt partially responsible for the poor performance. Figuring Aidan would pitch on Saturday, the father worked with Aidan in the backyard on Friday night, having him throw 90 practice pitches from 60 feet away, 10 feet farther than normal.

"I thought that backing him up would make his pitches seem that much harder the next day,” said Santangello. “I guess it wasn't far enough.”

One thing is clear: Aidan Santangello has a lot of work to do before the Tri-City Tournament next weekend.

“I’m gonna have him throw 140 pitches from 75 feet every two days,” said Santangello. “Then his arm will be nice and strong for when we play Schenectady.”--SB!