NY All-Stars are learning the hard way

At one point during his difficult first inning against the U.S. National team's under-18 baseball team, somebody in the crowd told pitcher Eddie Macaluso to throw "just like high school."

It's hard to imagine that high school already resides in the past tense for the Islip hurler, who took home the coveted Gibson award, given to the best pitcher in Suffolk County. But that's the case now for the graduates who make up the New York All-Stars, a hodgepodge crew of talented ballplayers culled together by the Greater New York Sandlot Athletic Alliance, a nonprofit baseball organization.

Baseball, post-high school, hasn't been too kind. In five exhibition games against Team USA, New York is 0-5, capped by yesterday's doubleheader at Hofstra University. New York lost Game 1, 4-0, and Game 2, 11-1. Other than three unearned runs in the first inning, Macaluso was brilliant. He allowed one run in five innings, but earned the loss.

New York loaded the bases against reliever Lance McCullers with no outs in the seventh inning of Game 1, but Joe Torres struck out and Kyle DeMeo hit into a game-ending double play.

Then again, it was never really about wins. The New York team, which only practiced three times before beginning exhibition play and only held its first tryouts on June 6, is hoping to gain exposure and scholarships for its players. The competition - the best under-18 year old players in the country - well, that's just gravy.

"It's awesome," said Vanderbuilt-bound T.J. Pecoraro. The pitcher, formerly of Half Hollow Hills West, said that "every day" previous to his nightcap start yesterday "I'd get excited. Now it's finally here."

New York All-Stars have a long history of taking on the stars and stripes, dating back to the Hurst All-Star games in 1954, sponsored by the now-defunct newspaper. When Hurst papers folded in 1971, so too did the All-Star game. In 17 years of play, USA had the 10-6-1 advantage, according to Sandlot president Vic Feld.

"We really wanted to revive the game," Feld said. "The USA team is absolutely awesome, but this gives New York City kids exposure, recognition, and a chance to test their skills."

The team was chosen out of a group of 224 players, and is made up overwhelmingly of Long Islanders. Of the 30 players, 18 are from the Island. They include Southampton's Chris Pike, St. Dominic's Derek Hirsch, MacArthur's Josh Barry and Frankie Vanderka, state champion Lindenhurst's Jon McGibbon and others.

Team USA hoped for a proper tuneup before national play in the Junior World Championships. The team will travel to the Midwest for four more games before playing Team Canada on Friday. Tournament play continues to August 1, at Port Arthur Stadium in Thunder Bay, Canada.

The team includes the top three selections in the MLB Player draft - Bryce Harper (Nationals), Jameson Taillon (Pirates) and Manny Machado (Orioles). They have excellent pedigree. Former Team USA members include Joe Torre, Curt Schilling. Alex Rodriguez, Albert Belle and Mike Mussina.

The chance to play against that sort of competition "means, for each kid, that he can compete at the highest level," Feld said. "This has elevated our program . . . we're looking to bring New York City baseball back the eminence it had before."