St. James-Smithtown Little League Embraces Meditation as World Series Quest Intensifies
Guided meditation has become a cornerstone for the St. James-Smithtown Little League as they pursue their dreams of reaching the Little League World Series.
Inspired by the character Pedro Cerrano from "Major League II," the team engages in pregame meditations to alleviate the pressure of competition. “We turn the lights off, you lie down — or you can sit up — close your eyes, and listen and work on your breathing,” explained Kevin Moran, the Bulls' center fielder, during a conversation from the Metro regional tournament in Bristol, Connecticut.
With this newfound focus, the team faced Rhode Island’s Burrillville in their opening match, achieving an impressive 18-0 victory that featured an explosive 11-run sixth inning. “We were a little nervous at the start of the game,” Moran admitted. “Then, just working on our breathing, we calmed down, and then we did very well.”
Moran's meditation practice began in late June, but it gained traction when pitcher Jeremy Katz joined him during the New York State championship. “He heard I did it and has been doing it with me the last three games. Then Saturday night was the first time the whole team had done it,” Moran noted.
The team finds tranquility in their dorm at the A. Bartlett Giamatti Little League Leadership Training Center, where they embrace mindfulness before games. “I feel like it calms us down and brings down our nerves. We get locked in,” he added.
As they inch closer to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, the meditation ritual is firmly established. “Since we won 18-0, we’re definitely going to keep this up,” right fielder Eric Hanson remarked. “It really helped me soothe before the game. I was very relaxed and ready to go.”
However, these 12-year-olds are not solely focused on meditation; they also enjoy camaraderie with out-of-state teams. “It’s just such an awesome experience having fun with them,” said outfielder Hunter Falcone, who relishes playing Wiffle ball with new friends.
The Bulls have formed a bond with Delaware’s Middletown-Odessa-Townsend Little League, who are competing in the Mid-Atlantic tournament on the same campus. As they prepare for their semifinal match against Connecticut’s Fairfield International at 1 p.m. Monday (ESPN), their strategy remains clear: maintain inner calm while playing fiercely.
“I just think we just have to play our game and keep our energy up,” second baseman Dominic Ciminiello stated confidently. “Then it will be very hard to beat us.”
Manager Scott Santelli has noted the strong support from their fans, which adds to their competitive edge. “There’s a lot of cheering in our crowd,” Ciminiello recalled, reflecting on the enthusiastic support during their New York State championship victory over South Shore Little League.
The community's backing is palpable, with local businesses rallying around the team. The New York Islanders sent a good luck message, while Smithtown’s Philly Pretzel factory created special bull-shaped treats for fans. A local tavern hosted a packed watch party for their recent win.
“It’s just been crazy,” Hanson expressed. “The support is coming from everywhere, even teams in the other tournaments cheering us on. It’s just been great.”
