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Homerun Hopefuls Collection
On Saturday February 6th, the NY Gothams will be collecting baseball uniforms and equipment at Pier 40. All items will be donated to Homerun Hopefuls, an organization that has been delivering these items to poor communities in the Dominican Republic for seven years. The group works with a government organization to ensure the equipment reaches the neediest communities. If you are storing unused uniforms, shoes, cleats, bats, baseballs, helmets or catchers equipment, we encourage you to drop them off on Saturday during the Winter Workouts. Donations are tax deductable.
NY Gothams Travel to the Dominican Republic
 During the Thanksgiving Day holiday, members of the NY Gothams traveled to the Dominican Republic, where they played against local competition in and around Santo Domingo. The annual trip is organized and hosted by Francisco Perez, director of baseball operations. Coach Felix Roche led the NY Gothams to a 6-0 record on the field, while parent and board member Willie Jacobvitz assisted with organizing and team administration. The trip was highlighted by a Thanksgiving dinner, which featured a visit by the Dominican Republic president, Leonel Fernandez!
More than just a weekend of competition, the trip enabled players to experience firsthand baseball's magical ability to bring together people of all backgrounds and nationalities. If you're interested in seeing pictures from the trip, parent David Allen has set up a site, Gothams.net, where they can be viewed.
Fall Players of the Month
 Josh Jacobvitz, 16, is heading into his fifth year as a member of the NY Gothams and has been a captain of the team since his second year. A utility infielder, he feels most comfortable at first base, where he boasted a .981 fielding percentage during the summer and fall 2009 seasons combined. More recently his pitching has come to the forefront and he was chosen as MVP of the fall 2009 season by his longtime coach, Felix Roche, because of his consistent ability to deliver. "He's one of the anchors of the pitching staff. He goes after hitters and isn't afraid to attack the strike zone," says Roche.
Says Jacobvitz on his pitching mindset, "I always want the ball in the championship or semi-final game. I'm always confident the defense will come through and I'll give a good game when it's meaningful.
Josh's father, Willie, who also played first base in high school and coached Josh before he joined the NY Gothams credits his son's attitude for his success, "He's relaxed and confident at any position, and he's a human vacuum at first base.
In a rain-shortened, fall season, Josh was 2-0, with the first game a 1-hitter and the second a 2-hitter, and a 1.03 ERA. He also pitched during the NY Gothams Thanksgiving Day trip to the Dominican Republic, where he registered a save and a win against very tough local talent. At the plate, he also managed to work 11 walks for an on-base percentage of .636.
Josh is currently in his junior at The Dalton School in Manhattan, where he's been a member of the varsity baseball squad since his freshman year. As dedicated to academics as he is baseball, Josh hopes to play baseball in college, and says the academic reputation of the school he attends will have a big influence on his choice.
 A member of the 2009, 16U NY Gothams, second baseman, Sam Fox, is viewed by head coach, Felix Roche, as part of one of the best double play combos, along with shortstop Isaac Forman, in the history of the organization. In commenting on his choice of Fox for MVP for the fall season, Roche says, "I love his knowledge of the game. He's a smart ball player. In the two years he's been with the organization, he's really learned how to make adjustments on the field and at the plate."
Reflecting his coach's comments, Fox admits he enjoys that baseball is about more than just braun. "Fewer people are attracted to baseball because it's slower paced and you need a blend of skills; it's about more than just size and strength," says Fox.
Possessing good range, hands and speed, Sam is a consumate second baseman and during 2009 led the team in assists. His contributions at the plate are equally potent and his speed combined with his bat earned him either the one or two spot in the lineup throughout the season. By season end, he was second in hits, rbi's, runs scored and tied for fewest k's.
In the Dominican Republic during theThanksgiving Day trip, which Fox described as "the best baseball experience of my life," he batted .421. And though he doesn't seem himself as a pitcher, he pitched six innings and picked up the win.
He attends Beacon High School, where he also plays second base. A junior, he maintains a 90 percent grade average and says this year he's starting to think more about college. "I don't know what division I'm shooting for yet, but I'd like to attend a school that offers strong academics and athletics," says Sam.
Fox's mother, Carolyn, credits his love of the game and his team spirit for his success. "He gets up everyday and wants to play baseball. He wants to improve so he listens to what his coaches tell him. And he loves his team and his teammates," she says.
Honorable Mention for Fall Season:
15U: Willis Robbins, P & Alex Smith, P
14U Blue: Alcides "R2" Hernandez, P/CF
14U Red: Ray Hernandez, P
13U: Max Kassan, P
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NY Gothams Launch Tutuoring and SAT Prep Program
