PS 24 and PS 81 have their own version of subway series

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A baseball diamond in the Bronx, cheering fans and a cross-town rivalry. Is it a Yankees-Mets game? 

Nope, it’s the annual Spring Classic baseball game between the Spuyten Duyvil School (P.S. 24) and the Robert J. Christen School (P.S. 81). 

The players gathered at Seton Park behind the Spuyten Duyvil Library, with P.S. 81 students in orange and the P.S. 24 team in yellow. 

“It’s awesome. I wish I had something like it when I was a kid,” P.S. 24 parent Larry Chaifetz said of the game, which doubles as a fundraiser for both schools’ Parents’ Associations. Mr. Chaifetz’s two children were not old enough to play this year, but next time, he plans to take over coaching duties for the Spring Classic.

At the P.S. 81 dugout, fifth-grade student Pablo Ramos was getting serious. His team had just endured a tough first inning, but he wasn’t ready to give up. 

“My game plan is to have good teamwork, have a nice game play and no fussing about it,” Pablo said. The approach seemed to pay off a few minutes later, when his teammate Richard “R.J.” Collazo hit a monster of a triple. He soon crossed home plate to give P.S. 81 their first run. 

“That’s what’s up! I’m on my game!” R.J. shouted as he high-fived his teammates on his way back to the bench. 

R.J.’s mother Lauren Ortiz said she was watching her son nervously. “I was like no, don’t get tagged out! I felt the pressure,” she said half-seriously. 

The game may get competitive, but Ms. Ortiz said today is all about coming together. 

“It’s beautiful. They have such a great time,” she remarked. “It’s safe, it’s such a great environment.”

On the P.S. 24 bench, the players were in high spirits. They were winning, after all. 

“We’re confident,” said Henry Huber, a fourth grader who transferred from P.S. 24 last year and still lives in Riverdale. “It’s a friendly rivalry.”

Henry was right to feel confident: P.S. 24 ended up taking the game, by a score of 10 to 3. 

public school, baseball, Spring Classic, PTA,
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