Finley Baseball Committed to Daily Improvement

The J. Taylor Finley Middle School baseball team has taken the field with new energy and determination under longtime science teacher Tom Tantillo who has returned to the dugout this spring.

A wet and cold spring has certainly interfered with Tantillo’s pre-season practice plans, but the veteran always seems to find a way to overcome the obstacles. One of his first goals was to increase interest in the program and he accomplished that with 29 players turning out for the first day of tryouts.

Tantillo has selected a team with potential. It will have to continue to grow on and off the field in order to ultimately succeed and the coach will give each player a chance to shine.

The roster consists of seventh graders Sawyer Davis, Matthew Donovan, Lucca Fiore, Tucker Fiore, Oliver Frintzilas, Luca Garcia, John Gentile, Kevin Harris, Gabe McManus, Joseph Pagano and Jaden Scott and eighth graders Nicholas Bartasi, Jesse Blohn, Jacob Boxer, Rocco Caruso, Anthony Centrone, Emmett Cocoman, Carlos Fajardo, Nicholas Martinez, Jory Morgan, Daniel Paiz and Matthew Pepe.

Finley has a nine game schedule. The team opens at home on May 1 against Northport. Games with West Islip Udall, East Northport, West Hollow Red, Stimson, West Islip Beach, Commack Gold, Hauppauge and Oldfield.

Finley practices and plays its game on the grass field behind the building. Tantillo is committed to sharpening his players’ skills in the field, at the plate and on the base paths. The coach likes to win and he is dedicated to building the program so it’s competitive against every opponent.