From Dreams To Reality

Thurmont’s Potter Pirates Play for Coach at Cooperstown

Alisha Yocum

In 1996, Louis “Coach” Presutti, along with his father and son, visited the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. During the visit, Presutti’s father expressed a wish that every child in America should have the opportunity to play baseball in Cooperstown. This idea resonated with Presutti, and shortly after his father’s passing, he and his wife purchased 156 acres of land to build Cooperstown Dreams Park. The dreams have been coming true for thousands of youth baseball players since it was first built, and recently, 12 players representing Thurmont had their opportunity to play at the prestigious facility.

Unlike many teams that compete at Cooperstown, the Potter Pirates and their families had to fundraise for over a year to make the trip possible. The team was chosen by the late Coach Jeff Potter of Potter Baseball, who was known for traveling across the country to teach youth about baseball and community service. Each year, Potter selected three teams to use his “berth” to Cooperstown, and this year marked the third time he gave young men from the Catoctin area the chance to play at Cooperstown Dreams Park.

Sadly, Coach Potter passed away in late spring after a battle with cancer and was unable to see the team play. However, the team honored him by carrying a banner and wearing shirts that read “Playing for Coach Potter.”

The team arrived on July 31 and quickly settled into their bunkhouse, where they would stay for the week. After unpacking, the excitement grew as pin trading began. With 104 teams from across the country participating, each team brought a unique pin representing their group. Trading pins became a fun and competitive activity throughout the week, with players aiming to collect all 104, including some rare ones.

The baseball festivities kicked off with an opening ceremony at Little Major League Park. The ceremony featured fun activities led by parents, but also emphasized the traditions of baseball. In keeping with Presutti’s vision, players could be suspended for infractions like wearing hats backward or having untucked shirts. The ceremony also highlighted the love for our country and paid respect to our Veterans.

Once the games finally started, the nerves kicked in a little. The facilities were impeccable, and many of our youth may never play on fields this pristine again. The team started out strong with a 13-0 victory over the Brooklyn Park Bulldogs, and then took four losses to teams from California, New York, and Pennsylvania. On Sunday, single elimination bracket play began, and the team played a talented team called the Wayzata Warriors. The Pirates fought hard but lost 4-2, and the Warriors would go on to win through the third round of bracket play.

The week ended with a closing ceremony, where all players, regardless of outcome, receive a ring and are inducted into the American Youth Baseball Hall of Fame.

In their downtime, the team was also able to explore the quaint downtown streets of Cooperstown, which included a visit to the Baseball Hall of Fame. There, players strolled the building, viewing memorabilia and video highlights of some of the greatest players in the game.

Coach Potter always said playing at Cooperstown was not about winning, but it was about the memories, and the Potter Pirates and their families sure left with a lot of those!

Thank you to the following businesses who sponsored the team: Ace Hardware of Thurmont, Steve C. Rehman, Blueprint Robotics, C&R Electric, Catoctin Wildlife Preserve, CB Flooring, CF Kerns Trucking, Clean Air Heating & A/C, Easy Calvery Red House, Frank Jackman, Gateway Automotive, Gulf Group LLC (10Tavern), Harrington & Sons, JB Plumbing & Heating, miscellaneous Metals, Inc., Owings Brothers, Owings Home Services, PJ’s Roofing, SHE excavating, Inc., Specialty Screen & Window, Tim’s Garage, Tyian Lodge 205, WF Delauter. In addition, thank you to Roy Rogers, Bollinger’s Restaurant, and Kountry Kitchen for donating a portion of the proceeds from fundraiser nights for us.

Players from the Potter’s Pirates show off their rings after being inducted into the American Youth Baseball Hall of Fame, a tradition at Cooperstown Dreams Park.

Pictured from left: (back row) Coach Nathan Laird, Eli Yocum, Daniel Genemans, Coach Chad Hahn, Parker Hahn, Camden Atkinson, Kaiden Dewees, Coach Jimmy Holmes, Evan Laird, Holden Holmes, Wesley Meekins. Coach John Veronie, Coach Justus Yocum; (front row) James Clements, Desean Brown, Jeremy Veronie, and Weston Tyler.

Holden Holmes shows all the pins he collected from teams from around the country at Cooperstown Dreams Park.