Westchester Rockland Wood Bat League

Some might call George Zeolla’s Bears squad the heartbeat of the league. With an infectious energy and slew of youth talent, the Bears are a very fun team to watch.

However, last season was a major disappointment for the Bears. A combination of inconsistent regular season play and a quick exit in the playoffs left the Bears with much to improve on coming into the offseason.

Longtime Bear veteran’s James Zeolla and Tom Verdino will not be making their returns this season. Once considered top tier bats in their lineup, the Bears will look to replace their production. Furthermore, the Bears are still without a commitment from their ace and Cy Young Finalist, Ryan Mordecai. Losing Mordecai would ultimately be a major blow to the Bears pitching staff.

Despite the losses, the Bears did not slow down their plans for redemption. Returning a majority of their roster, the Bears are looking to build a foundational core of talent to compete with the league’s best. All-WRWBL 1st teamer Rob Beyer returns as one of the league’s premiere power bats after clubbing 4 home runs in just 17 games. His presence in the heart of the Bears lineup will surely be felt all season long. Also making their anticipated returns to the lineup are WRWBL 2nd team selection Nomar Disla, and two time All-WRWBL selection Ethan Gabor. Both will look to build on their standout 2021 campaigns. With Mordecai not in the fold, Bear veteran Chris Calamari and ROY finalist Josh Alvarado will both be tasked with leading a young and talented pitching staff.

The Bears once again went hard with their recruiting, bringing in a slew of standout talent from around the area. Mercy left hander Anthony Burgio, Siena commit Chris McKeon, F&M right hander Bijan Anvar, and NCBA All-American candidate David Richards will all look to lock down the mound this summer and keep runs off the board. Vassar catcher Marc Milano will provide support both behind the dish and at the plate.

Despite past performances, the Bears are a confident bunch. This is a team that is on a mission to right the ship and put themselves in the conversation for a title. We can’t wait to see them in action!