By Al Terminiello Jr.
Shawn Vetere was elected as President of the Revere Youth Baseball and Softball (RYBS) League when President Dan Dacey stepped down, after 20 years of serving the league with excellence. Dacey will stay on as a board member, and advisor to the league. Vetere took over at the start of ‘Fall Ball this past September.
Vetere discussed his plans for a new look and a bigger league in the city. Currently there are 4 divisions in the baseball league, minors, majors and tee-ball, and finally Babe Ruth. The softball division has 3, minors, majors and seniors. The league has been declining in number of players, and ultimately in teams to play.
Vetere stated with the new demographics of the city, baseball has become an afterthought, comparing it to the popular soccer programs across the city, lacrosse, football and includes hockey as well. Many AAU programs are also available for a pay to play option, some offering good coaching while others do not. Something must be done to bring baseball back into the light and interest of the athletes. Vetere has reached out to surrounding cities that are suffering from the same problems. As of this writing, Everett has partnered up with the Revere program, Winthrop, Malden, Saugus and Medford have also been contacted by Vetere, and have shown interest in expanding the program as well. So far, 80 players plus have been added to the league,
Marketing and promoting of a solid product is not new to Revere’s new president, Vetere is Vice President of Marketing and Business Development for a very successful contracting firm in New England, and he plans to use his marketing skills to promote the game he has dedicated his life to, giving young men and women a chance to enjoy the game as well.
Also on the table is an idea of creating an advisory board, one to handle things that will improve the league’s visibility and effectiveness. “This is not a one man show” Vetere stated, it takes lots of dedication and help from parents, sponsors, and volunteers to make a program flourish.
Shawn Vetere is a lifelong resident of Revere, playing baseball as an RHS Patriot, and at St. Mary’s for Babe Ruth as a member of the “Pals”. He was coached by Peter DiCarlo, who Vetere considers one of the finest coaches he’s ever had the pleasure to know and uses DiCarlo’s methods as a coach himself. Under Vetere’s coaching, the Major League Cardinals have been city champions 2 years in a row.
There are other concerns President Vetere wants to address, while he is known for baseball, as president he will and has expand the softball league as well, not forgetting the many girls that love the game as he does, “you will not be a second thought in our program” Vetere adamantly stated. Another concern, of his and many that are part of the program is the concession stand. With high attendance and more players, the concession stand should and will flourish and be profitable for the league.
In the future, social media will also be a big part of marketing the leagues success and registration process, I’m looking at all aspects of development, and people to implement them.
Fall ball will be concluding by October 31, 2023, and it will be time to start to look forward to the 2024 registration and schedule.
All teams will be following the Cal Ripken rules of Baseball and baseball, softball and tee ball will be played at the Griswold Field Complex and Babe Ruth, will be played at Garfield and RHS fields.
Money, it’s always a needed to make anything a success. President Vetere is planning a golf tournament for next year and will be giving out more information on that after he addresses the board of directors. Sponsors, anyone interested in sponsoring a baseball, softball, or tee ball team, please contact the league at revereyouthbaseball.com. Pricing is $400 dollars for the Spring league, includes, your name on a shirt, sigh with your logo and name on the park fence and league website. Also, for $200 more you can sponsor the Fall League as well.
There is more, and as of this writing President Shawn Vetere and the Board of Directors are planning a very successful 2024 season, bringing baseball and softball back, and giving the players of all ages a solid and exciting program to enjoy.
