Pot-Nets Sand Lot Baseball a popular and inclusive summer activity

The Pot-Nets Sand Lot Baseball program held its opening-night game June 26. Organized and grown by coach Bobby Caruso, the program has evolved from a random pick-up game several years ago into an organization with more than 200 players.  

Caruso has created a low-pressure environment, where kids show up just for the love of the game to learn a lot about baseball and to make new friends.

"It is common for a team of 12 to 13 players to all be on the field at the same time,” he said. “It's heartwarming to see a 10-year-old centerfielder getting backed up by their 16-year old mentor.” 

Parents and community members alike all help to make Pot-Nets Sand Lot Baseball a place where all children can come together and play the game, whether skilled or inexperienced. With the help of dedicated, baseball-loving volunteers, the game transforms into a relaxed, safe environment where all children are welcomed to simply have fun and learn the sport. 

Caruso added, "I couldn't do it without the help of Christine Aron. Crissy has been instrumental in helping me get to where we are today with the program. We started planning back in 2016."

Pot-Nets Sand Lot Baseball found new life in 2016.  Participation grew and grew each week that year, leading to a 2017 brainstorming session between Caruso and Rob Tunnell Jr. of Pot-Nets Communities. Many improvements were made to the field, which is located in the Pot-Nets Bayside community. The staff at Pot-Nets spent the winter and spring installing a new infield surface, foul ball poles, a new electronic scoreboard, dugout and spectator bleachers, and a new outfield fence. The most noticeable improvement is known as the "Pot-Nets Monster." Dominating the left outfield, the Monster is a 24-foot-high wall that spans 72 feet from the left foul line. It’s reminiscent of Boston's Green Monster at the Red Sox's Fenway Park, and hitting a ball over the wall has become the goal of every Pot-Nets player.

Assisting the coach on the field this summer are two of his high school baseball players, coach Adam "Babs" Babineau and coach Cody Durham, who are talented both on and off the field, and are great with the kids. Games are played every night of the week, from 5 to 8 p.m., through Sunday, Sept. 3.

The program is still accepting children this summer. Players can register online at www.potnets.com/sports.