Laid back C-P 12’s ready for District 12

By: Rich Fisher
   When the Cranbury-Plainsboro 12-year-old All-Star team begins District 12 Tournament play Wednesday, don’t expect to see too much stress showing on the players faces.
   "This team is so loosey goosey, nothing bothers them," manager Rich Bongiovanni said. "I don’t put any pressure on them, they’re on their own during the games. They don’t get down on themselves.
   "It’s very encouraging to watch. They’re never uptight. They just relax. The nucleus of the team has been together since they were 8-years-old, there are seven and eight kids who have basically been there all along. They all get along and their personalities are great. They’re funny to be with."
   Bongiovanni, however, feels this team will all business between the white lines.
   "This looks like a good team," he said. "Our hitting is a lot stronger this year, and our hitting has always been a problem. We have six kids on this team with power, who all hit home runs over the fence. We’re solid with the hitting from the two spot down to the seven.
   "We also have three or four kids with fantastic speed. Our speed is going to be a strong point, on the bases, and also in the outfield. We have some fast kids out there."
   The team roster consists of Drew Bongiovanni (P/SS), Ryan Dontas (P/SS), Kenny Garron (P/1B), Chris Ciccodicola (C/OF), Andrew Frain (P/1B), Neelesh Satpute (3B/OF), Mike Morabito (2B), P.J. Silva (P/1B), Eric Yehl (CF), Jake Persing (OF), Jeremy Tyson (C/LF), Scott Benerofe (OF).
   Of those 12, Benerofe, Morabito and Satpute are 11-year-olds, while Ciccodicola, Frain and Yehl are from Cranbury. The remainder are 12-year-olds, or from Plainsboro.
   Pete Dontas will serve as Bongiovanni’s coach.
   As usual, pitching will be a key. The skipper feels he has some strong arms in Bongiovanni, Garron and Silva.
   "Those guys are experienced," Bongiovanni said. "They’ve been pitching in tournaments since they were eight-years-old."
   C-P, which is in Pool B this year with Washington Township, Chambersburg, Princeton, Florence and Sunnybrae, gets underway Wednesday at 6-11 Little League Field with a 6 p.m. game against Washington. On Thursday, they host Sunnybrae in an 8 p.m. game.
   After a day off, C-P meets Princeton in Princeton at 5 p.m., and pool play concludes on Wednesday with a 6 p.m. game against Florence at West Windsor.
   "I feel confident," Bongiovanni said of his team’s chances to advance from pool play. " There’s no pressure. Nobody expects a lot out of us, and these kids are very laid back, they’re not going in there tight.
   "I think we have some tough games, but our goal is always to win three out of four. We’re confident we can do that. We’ve been competitive every year in district tournament play. This year, they’ve gotten bigger and stronger, and they have the experience."