BP DIAZ & NEW YORK YANKEES HOST INAUGURAL 'BOROUGH PRESIDENT'S CUP' LITTLE LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
Today, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and the New York Yankees co-hosted the inaugural “Borough President’s Cup” Little League Championship. The game featured a match-up between the Little League Raiders and the Rolando Paulino Little League, who competed for the title in a game at Yankee Stadium.
The Little League Raiders won the game, defeating the Rolando Paulino Little League 9-7 in extra innings.
To compete for the “Borough President’s Cup,” players for each Little League had to meet a set of requirements unrelated to their performance on the field. Those included a B-average in school, 90 percent or greater school attendance and a demonstrated commitment to community service.
BP Diaz with little league Raiders presenting BP's Cup to the winner.
“This game is not about showcasing the best athletes in the Bronx, but those students who represent the best of our borough overall: good students who have shown us that they want to make the Bronx a better place,” said Borough President Diaz. “What better way to reward them then to give them a chance to walk in the footsteps of Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and all the Yankee greats.”
“The Little League Raiders would like to thank Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and his staff for an outstanding job on putting together the Borough President’s Cup. It is our pleasure to participate in this tournament. We are very excited to have the opportunity to play the championship game at Yankee Stadium. We would like to thank Mr. Brian Smith, SVP, Corporate/Community Relations and Mr. Rocky Halsey and staff of the New York Yankees organization for allowing us this opportunity. It makes us proud to say that we are from the Bronx,” said Peggy Guzman, director of the Little League Raiders.
“Thank you, Borough President Diaz and the New York Yankees, for this opportunity. The dreams of our players, to play at Yankee Stadium, have become a reality. This moment will make a difference in the lives of these very promising young people, and we will never forget this game,” said Rolando Paulino, commissioner of the Rolando Paulino Little League.
The “Borough President’s Cup” will be an annual event.