Viewfinder: Fort Lee National Little League Awards Ceremony

On Saturday afternoon, kids, parents, coaches and those who make the Fort Lee National Little League what it is gathered for food and a short trophy ceremony.

Hal Mordkoff is in his third year coaching baseball and coached Fort Lee Tire in the minor leagues. Mordkoff enjoyed the season and said his team learned a lot.

“Great season, kid’s learned a lot, kid’s had fun," said Mordkoff. "The idea was to teach them the game and give them competitiveness, but not too much. What’s great is that when the season started, I had a bunch of kids who didn’t even know how to put a glove on their hands, and by the end of the season, they were throwing the ball across the field, catching and taking good swings.”

John Casale, who coaches PBA in the minors and Frank Patti in the majors, got to experience both leagues.

“Season went well," said Casale. "In the major leagues, we had four very competitive teams who pretty much finished with the same records so it was a real good season, and the minor leagues had very good competition.”

Legendary coach Morris Ginsburg has been a part of Fort Lee National for a while and will be coaching his major league team, Fort Lee AC, when they take on Fairway Market of the Fort Lee American Little League in the Mayor’s Trophy championship game at the Fort Lee National Little League Field at 8 p.m. Tuesday.

“I’ve been doing this for 52 years and enjoying every minute," said Ginsburg. "Teach them how to play, winning is important, but not that important. They can learn more from making an error than not making an error."

Coaches gave trophies to players on their respective teams, and league president  Donna Martini gave a short speach. Ginsburg also spoke, praising Martini for all of her hard work.

The minor league Mayor’s Trophy game is taking place Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the American League Field, when Unico of the American League takes on the National League's Post Cards R Us. The American League and National League All Star Pee-Wee game was Monday at the American League field.

Major League team Stepmar, coached by Kyle Hooten received their trophies Saturday, and it was also announced that the Fort Lee National clubhouse will be named in honor of the late Dominick Oliveri, who was a legend and always visible around Fort Lee National.

A sportsmanship award in Oliveri's honor was also given out to Mohamed “Momo” Abdelhamid, who received a very large $100 check.

The players, coaches and parents enjoyed chicken, ribs, beans, cornbread and macaroni and cheese after the ceremony.