The Little League World Series brought big dreams to reality for a handful of Long Island boys.
Although New York State champion St. James-Smithtown Little League faltered against piping-hot Fairfield National of Connecticut in the regionals, pitcher and big bat Jeremy Katz garnered attention from his idol, local legend Craig Biggio.
Katz, who, like Biggio, hails from Kings Park, looks up to the Hall of Famer as proof that one can make it big from their small neighborhood.
“Hopefully, we can see him in the big leagues someday,” Biggio told The Post of the New York home run derby champ.
“I used to say, the hardest part was getting off the island when it comes to being recognized. So the young man is accurate with that.”
Just like former Met Frank Catalanotto, who played for St. James-Smithtown, Biggio was also “giddy” to see a team from his neck of the woods make such a valiant run into the Metro regional final earlier this month.
“I was pumped,” the Astros great said.
He also passed along this advice for 12-year-old Katz as he continues to grow on the basepaths:
“Think big, dream big, keep things in priority, and just go play, have fun, and don’t put any extra pressure on yourself,” Biggio said.
“Take it in chapters. Make your high school team, play well there, and then hopefully you get an opportunity in college, and then maybe get drafted.”
Call at the plate
A pair of Chaminade High School pals also stole the show in Williamsport by broadcasting the Mets’ dominant 7-3 win over the Mariners in the MLB Little League Classic on Sunday.
“It was beyond belief. I’m actually a big Mets fan,” soon-to-be senior Roman Brunetti, who did color commentary on the special “KidsCast,” told The Post.
Meanwhile, Thomas Gamba on play-by-play ran it back as he also called last year’s Williamsport game between the Yankees and Tigers.
“This year, I really wanted a home run, and I got two,” said Gamba, who says his interest in broadcasting took off after being cut by the school’s crew team by “fate.”
“I think I nailed the calls pretty well. … It was incredible, I can’t put it into words,” said the senior, who, like Brunetti, is under the tutelage of former Post reporter Pat Reichart at the Mineola Catholic school.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
