SARATOGA SPRINGS — Longtime Saratoga Catholic varsity baseball coach Alphonse Lambert earned his 600th career win on Saturday, as the Saints beat Schuylerville 12-1 in the championship game of the Phil Waring Memorial Tournament.

The Saints’ head coach since 1988, Lambert has compiled a career record of 600-213 over 35 seasons, and has led the Saints to 15 league championships and five Section 2 Championships. He is a member of the St. Peter’s / Saratoga Central Catholic Hall of Fame, and the New York State Baseball Hall of Fame.

As Lambert himself said, “That’s a lot of baseball.”

He was quick to credit his players and fellow coaches, saying, “I just enjoy coaching these kids.”

“I’ve had some great, great young people that have played for me, and great coaches,” said Lambert. “I always said that I never threw a baseball, I never hit a baseball, and I never scored a run. It’s been all the kids, and the coaches. … The kids have bought in over the years, and that’s why our program is where it’s at.”

The Saints beat Corinth 9-2 in the opening round of the tournament on Saturday morning, setting up the championship matchup with Schuylerville, the defending Section 2 Class B Champions.

Saints’ freshman pitcher Pierce Byrne shut down the Black Horses’ offense, and Saratoga Catholic used a balanced attack at the plate to pull away in the middle innings, sealing a five-inning mercy-rule victory.

Aidan Crowther was 2-3 with a triple and four RBIs, while Ryan Gillis went 3-3 with three singles and an RBI. Ronan Rowe and Byrne each went 2-3 with a double and an RBI, while Kihl Kelly and Tyler Weygand were each 1-3 with an RBI. Carson Moser and Kameron Cox both added RBIs for the Saints.

Lambert said coaching is something he has “always wanted to do,” and emphasized how much SCC means to him.

“I work at the greatest school around, and I work with the greatest people around, and I teach the best kids around,” said Lambert. “That’s just always been my thought. If they open up my chest and they operate, they’re going to see purple and gold blood. That’s what they’re going to see.”

Lambert also said it was “very special” to earn his 600th victory with his current group of players, saying many of them began attending his baseball camps at young ages.

“I’ve had these kids since they were five, six, seven years old, a lot of these kids,” said Lambert. “They came up as young, young kids for me. To watch them develop and compete against juniors and seniors is very rewarding.”

Saints’ sophomore catcher Hunter Fales said Lambert “means a lot” to him, noting he first attended the coach’s baseball camp as a sixth-grader.

“He’s been one of the most important people in my life since I moved here,” Fales said. “I went to his camp, and that was when I first met him. I knew I was going to love playing for him ever since. … He loves this team, and we all love him, so it’s easy to function.”

“He was the reason I was on varsity for so long. He believed in me,” added freshman pitcher Pierce Byrne, who is in his third season with the varsity squad. “He means a lot to me.”

While there was some time to reflect following Saturday’s milestone victory, Lambert and the Saints quickly refocused for sectional play, which begins Friday. Saratoga Catholic finished the regular season 17-3 overall and 13-3 in the Wasaren League, earning the top seed in the Section 2 Class C Tournament.

Saratoga Catholic will host #8-seed Waterford-Halfmoon (7-13 overall, 5-11 Wasaren) in the opening round of the sectional tournament at 6 p.m. on Friday.

With the Saints riding a 10-game winning streak heading into sectionals, Fales said the team is playing with confidence as they prepare for the postseason.

“I think our whole team is very confident right now,” Fales said. “Swinging the bat, playing defense.”

Lambert said the team’s goal heading into sectionals is to simply “win each inning.”

“We’re not going to get the cart ahead of the horse,” said Lambert. “We’ve got to win each inning. That’s our goal, is to win the inning.”

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Springs Little League held its opening day ceremony on Saturday, kicking off yet another season at West Side Recreation Park.

The ceremony was originally scheduled for April 29, but was delayed due to weather. Players and coaches ran onto the Majors Field as each team was announced during the ceremony. 

The Little League Pledge was read by Ethan Booth, and the national anthem was sung by SSHS student Abby DeGregory. The league’s 12-year-old players received jackets donated by Janet Fitzpatrick, who donates customized jackets each year to players who age out of SSLL. Fitzpatrick is sponsoring two SSLL teams this year. 

SSLL president Derrick LeGall spoke, thanking those in attendance.

“I am humbled, I am honored to be here today,” said LeGall. “Thank you for coming out today. Last week just wasn’t meant to be, but today, the gods are smiling down on us. We have a beautiful day, and I want to say welcome to each and every one of you.”

LeGall thanked coaches, parents, and families, saying, “You make this possible.” He also thanked the SSLL Board of Directors for their dedication.

“One of the things that make us so great is the people that are standing behind me and around me,” LeGall said. “I had somebody text me two days ago, they used to be a coach and a parent in this league, and they said, ‘I rode by the fields, and they look amazing.’ And it’s because of these folks back here that help keep these fields playable and safe for each and every one of the kids.”

He also addressed the players, encouraging them to follow their dreams and ignore negativity.

“Each one of you have dreams, dreams that one day you will make it to the major leagues,” said LeGall. “Dreams that one day, you will become a doctor, a lawyer, an engineer, or maybe a teacher. Please know that your dreams are attainable. Don’t let anyone discourage you from reaching those goals.”

He emphasized that the league’s focus is on building character and creating memories for each kid.

“We are not trying to create major league baseball players here,” LeGall said. “We are trying to build character for good citizenship. … That’s what it’s all about. Getting along and getting together.”

LeGall also highlighted the current varsity baseball team at Saratoga Springs, saying eight players on the varsity squad played Little League at West Side Rec. Blue Streaks’ senior infielder Orion Lansing threw out the ceremonial first pitch to SSLL player Jude Miller at Saturday’s ceremony.

“So kids, continue to follow your dreams,” said LeGall. “One day, I’m hoping to see you on our varsity team.”

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The skatepark at East Side Recreation Park will soon be renovated for the next generation of skaters to enjoy.

Benj Gleeksman, vice president of local nonprofit OnDeck Saratoga, said he and his wife Belinda Colón, who is the president of OnDeck, have recognized the need for a modern skatepark in the city for over a decade. Gleeksman said many towns around the country are beginning to recognize the need for updated skateparks.

The East Side Rec skatepark originally opened in 1989, according to OnDeck Saratoga. The park is constructed out of metal, and Gleeksman said the metal ramps have been in place for over 20 years and are “getting worn out.”

The new park will be constructed with concrete, which Gleeksman said is a preferred material for construction of skateparks.

“(Concrete is) longer lasting, it’s a lot quieter, and it’s a lot smoother and faster,” said Gleeksman. “The metal ramps kind of rest on a surface now, so when you ride up them, it’s almost like hitting a separate obstacle, because it makes a clanking sound. With concrete, it’s kind of like riding one big, smooth piece.”

The new park will feature an improved bowl, a new halfpipe, and a series of banks, ledges, and rails, Gleeksman said, noting the park will also be friendly for skaters at all levels.

“The new design is going to be sort of friendly for everybody, beginners, intermediate, and advanced skaters alike,” said Gleeksman. “Little kids will be able to go out there, and start from the beginning and learn from the ground up.”

Gleeksman and Colón assisted the city in the selection of companies to send requests for proposals, and also helped select the vendor to design the park. Gleeksman referred to the process as “a partnership between us, as OnDeck, and John Hirliman in the Recreation Department.”

“I think that they really were appreciative of the fact that we have institutional skateboarding knowledge,” said Gleeksman. “For them to sort of recognize that, I think we’re humbled by it. We’re really honored to have been able to play the role that we have in working with them.”

Construction of the park will be conducted by Artisan Skateparks, a company based in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Gleeksman said construction will begin in mid-May, and is expected to be completed by the end of the summer.

He said the updated park can also help draw skaters in from other areas.

“And the great thing about having a skatepark like this is that it brings skaters in from other communities,” Gleeksman said. “And it also boosts tourism. If families are looking to vacation somewhere, and they have kids that skateboard, well one of the things they’re going to be looking at is, ‘Oh, I’m going to Saratoga Springs, is there a cool skatepark there?’”