FEATURES
Where Are They Now Powered by Complete Sports Performance: Jeff Tyler
(Editor’s Note: This article was published in November 2024) Jeff Tyler always found a way to win. Whether it was during his storied high school career for the MacArthur Generals or in college for the Adelphi Panthers there was often a W next to his name in the box score. In fact, even long after his career ended he still found a way to be the winning pitcher. That’s right, even at Adelphi’s Alumni day many years after his final competitive pitch, he was able to hawk a win against Adelphi’s current team. Jeff Tyler owns Long Island’s record for the most wins in a varsity career with 32. He played during the height of Levittown’s special run in which he led the Generals to back-to-back Long Island Championships in 1993 and 1994. But to understand the full story, you must start from th...
Where Are They Now Powered by Complete Sports Performance: Mike Ambort
Getting the opportunity to play professional baseball is a dream for millions of kids around the world. Most never consider the possibility, however, that your organization could have a future Hall of Famer blocking you at your position. Rockville Center-native Mike Ambort was selected not once, not twice but three times in the MLB Draft. The third and final time came in 2007 in the 6th round by the San Francisco Giants. The following year, the Giants selected Florida State catcher Buster Posey and handed him a $6.2 million signing bonus (the largest in team history at that point) with the 5th overall selection in the ’08 draft. The two were roommates in High-A, but before long Posey was solidified as the franchise catcher and would go on to win Rookie of the Year, NL MVP and was the...
Up Next Powered by Ken Kortright State Farm: Charlie Edwards
Editor’s Note: This is the fifth installment of the 2025 Up Next Series in which we highlight the top underclassmen on Long Island. Previously, we highlighted Jack Mulligan, Alex Pagano, Quincy Gibbs and Michael Cotto. Special thanks to Ken Kortright State Farm for sponsoring this year’s series.) 6’4 RHP Charlie Edwards (Center Moriches 2029) pic.twitter.com/mi2vXWOAeV — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) November 24, 2025 Every teenager wants to have fun on their birthday. That would usually include a day with their friends or maybe going to their favorite restaurant. Center Moriches 9th grader Charlie Edwards had a 14th birthday so good that it was perfect – he fired a perfect game in the Northeast Elite tournament for MVP East End. He put up a monster season for them in 2025. He...
Where Are They Now Powered by Complete Sports Performance: James Bailin
Photo Credit: Newsday/Bill Davis 29-0. There’s a beauty in perfection. It is elusive in the game of baseball – a game that is designed to include failures and to humble every player. For Division Ave HS in 1996, there was no such failures. The Blue Dragons went wire-to-wire not losing one game. In fact, they only played in one game that was decided by one run. They scored 325 runs during the regular season and often were up by double digits before their starting pitcher took the mound. And their starting pitchers usually only needed one or two runs to begin with. One of their starters, James Bailin, was untouchable that season as he fired 4 no-hitters – including three in a row at one point. Bailin was the recipient of the coveted Diamond Award given to the top pitcher in Nassau County. Al...
Catching Up With Jack Halloran
The Aviators now lead 4-1. The latest run coming from Jack Halloran.(Emory) pic.twitter.com/8rafXVfSOL — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) July 30, 2023 Growing up and playing on the east end of Long Island can present some inherent obstacles to getting exposure. Jack Halloran, Westhampton Beach, made it his point to do everything in his power to not only succeed at the college level, but to get a good education. Halloran, a four-year varsity player, compiled a 1.503 OPS during his seniors season in which he helped lead the Hurricanes to a postseason appearance. During the summer of 2020, during the midst of the pandemic, Halloran was attempting to get himself noticed by college coaches. He sent his videos to dozens and dozens of schools, as there was very little way of getting face-to-...
Up Next Powered by Ken Kortright State Farm Agency: Michael Cotto
(Editor’s Note: This is the fourth installment of the 2025 Up Next Series in which we highlight the top underclassmen on Long Island. Previously, we highlighted Jack Mulligan, Alex Pagano and Quincy Gibbs. Special thanks to Ken Kortright State Farm for sponsoring this year’s series.) Mike Cotto (Kellenberg 2026) smashes an RBI triple during a big first inning for Next Level Next Level 5 – Five Star 1 End first pic.twitter.com/mh5l5gQHYJ — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) September 7, 2025 In the 38-year history of Kellenberg baseball, they had never called up a freshman to the varsity team. Part of it was the school administration’s strict guidelines, but also because the school’s strong enrollment meant it wasn’t necessary to make such an aggressive...
Where Are They Now: Kyle Gelling
(Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in January 2024.) It’s rare that you can truly say you work at your dream job. Long Island native and former Division-I baseball player, Kyle Gelling, has the distinction of being able to say that as he has established himself working at Barstool Sports since 2018. While luck certainly plays a part in finding the perfect job, Kyle put himself into that position through relentlessly pursuing his passion of working in sports and has reaped the rewards of that work. But to understand how he got there, you need to know where he started. The Early Days Kyle was born and raised in West Islip, the second of two children, his sister being 10 years older. He always had a love for sports – specifically baseball and football. His father spli...
Up Next Powered by Ken Kortright State Farm Agency: Quincy Gibbs
(Editor’s Note: This is the third installment of the 2025 Up Next Series in which we highlight the top underclassmen on Long Island. Previously, we highlighted Jack Mulligan and Alex Pagano. Special thanks to Ken Kortright State Farm Agency for sponsoring this year’s series.) Quincy Gibbs (Smithtown Christian 2028) with a pair of strikeouts during live ABs. Gibbs was reaching 89 MPH today with his fastball. At just 15 years old, Gibbs will be a player to watch in the coming years pic.twitter.com/z2J5TvQ5Gs — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) August 3, 2025 Baseball is in Quincy Gibbs’ blood. His father, also named Quincy, played at Hofstra University and played two seasons for the Long Island Ducks. His brother, Isaiah, currently plays college ball. While playing for Smithtown Chr...
Where Are They Now: Matt Prokopowicz
(Editor’s Note: This article originally was posted in January 2025) When Massapequa lost to East Meadow in the 2005 County Championship, there was a picture of the team celebrating on the mound. That picture was hung up in the locker room at Massapequa in the locker room. “That picture of them lit the fire for the next 20 years,” said Matt Prokopowicz. Hypernole or not, Massapequa went 29-0 in 2006 winning the Class AA Nassau County, Long Island and NYS Championships. Prokopowicz was a major part of that success as he was named All-State and hit a clutch HR in the Long Island Championship in the bottom of the sixth inning to cut into a 5-0 deficit. Prokopowicz will go down as one of the best hitters in Long Island history, as he wound up attending Hofstra University where he is still...
Up Next Powered by Ken Kortright State Farm Agency: Alex Pagano
(Editor’s Note: This is the second installment of the 2025 Up Next Series in which we highlight the top underclassmen on Long Island. Previously, we highlighted Jack Mulligan. Special thanks to Ken Kortright State Farm Agency for sponsoring this year’s series.) Wow ! Joey Lionetti fires a no-hitter and for the first time in their 72-year history Massapequa Coast is headed to the Little League World Series ! pic.twitter.com/NROC1fF8i6 — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) August 13, 2022 In 2022, Massapequa Coast LL shocked the baseball world and reached the Little League World Series for the first time in its 72-year history. They did so in remarkable fashion as RHP Joey Lionetti Jr fired a no-hitter on ESPN agains Toms River. While that was certainly the individual moment that stood out ...
Up Next Powered by Ken Kortright State Farm Agency: Jack Mulligan
(Editor’s Note: This is the first installment of the 2025 Up Next Series in which we highlight the top underclassmen on Long Island. Special thanks to Ken Kortright State Farm Agency for sponsoring this year’s series.) When Massapequa closed out winning the Nassau County AAA Championship in Game 3 over Farmingdale, they did so in a way that differed from their typical fashion. The Chiefs, one of the true baseball powerhouses on Long Island, are generally very upperclass heavy. And while they certainly had their share of seniors – they did have the Diamond Award winner (Thomas Harding) after all, it was a freshman that closed out the last five outs. That freshman, Jack Mulligan, pitched 21.1 innings on the season, allowed 19 hits and struck out 24 batters with a 2.6...
Jim Martin Ready for Challenge of Following Legendary Coach Matt Senk
by Braden Daniello A new chapter begins 📕 We’re proud to announce the promotion and hiring of our new head coach, Jim Martin! 📰 → https://t.co/WH8WQDEzAj 🌊🐺 x #NCAABaseball x @JimMartin33_15 pic.twitter.com/8rfgjAB7Xu — Stony Brook Baseball (@StonyBrookBASE) June 12, 2025 Perhaps hard work does indeed pay off. It certainly holds true for Jim Martin, the newly named baseball coach for the Stony Brook Seawolves. Martin, who spent eight seasons as an associate coach within the Stony Brook baseball program, was promoted this past summer when legendary longtime skipper Matt Senk retired after 35 years with the Seawolves. The shoes of Coach Senk will not be easy to fill, but Martin says he is up to the task and is looking forward to his new role this upcoming season. For Martin, baseball i...
