Cooperstown A Hit With Grayslake Coyotes

"It was a once in a lifetime opportunity for these boys," said Team Manager Andy Spicer, of his 12U baseball team's trip to Cooperstown, New York. "It was an unbelievable experience for not only the kids, but the coaches and parents as well."

Through a fortuitous set of circumstances three years ago, Grayslake Youth Baseball Association, or GYBA, obtained one of the limited bids to send a travel team of 12-year-olds to the Cooperstown Dreams Park to compete in a week-long tournament. Grayslake Coyotes travel teams have been returning each summer.

With extraordinary fund-raising efforts by coaches, players and parents, the team was able to make the trip in July to Cooperstown Dreams Park, site of the premier baseball competition in the country for 12-year-old players. Over 1,000 teams arrived throughout the summer from all over the country to play on those hallowed grounds.

The GYBA team members making the trip this year included Ryan Peters, Ben Fitzgerald, Ryan Donnelly, Cameron Dean, Ryan Spicer, Joey Ptasienski, Ed Pietschmann, Jake Boxer, Bryce Gniadek, Justin Shepley, Eric Obenauf, Justin Wold and Kyle Allen.

The opening day ceremony was full of pomp and fun including a home run derby and speed and agility competitions like the Road Runner (fastest around the bases), the Golden Arm (longest, most accurate throws) and the Around the Horn competition.

A highlight of the trip was visiting the Hall of Fame Museum and watching baseball games at the legendary Abner Doubleday Field, where one of the earliest games of baseball was played in 1839.

Get the full experience of this unique trip:

• Coyotes at Cooperstown: Nationwide Competition

• Coyotes at Cooperstown: Bonding in the Barracks