From saving lives in the field to being heroes at the plate, FDNY Bravest Baseball has launched another explosive season. The first responders are bringing their dedication and teamwork from their careers to battling on the diamond. Bravest Baseball is playing in both the Zorilla Baseball League in Brooklyn and the Stan Musial Baseball League on Long Island, so we know this season is destined to be another competitive one. The team is also gearing up for the highly-anticipated Battle of the Badges against NYPD on Aug. 10 at Citi Field.
We caught up with Coach Josh Burgos and some of his players to chat about the new season and more. Check out what they had to say below.
Pitcher
Firefighter
Ladder 13 in Manhattan
Favorite Team – New York Yankees
Join FDNY: What are you looking forward to this season?
Coach Burgos: Overall, I look forward to competing every time we go out there and beating the NYPD the two times that we play them this season.
Join FDNY: How do you feel about the new rules that are being implemented in the MLB this year?
Coach Burgos: I believe that the rules are counterproductive to the game of baseball. The idea of a pitch clock and eliminating defensive shifts can possibly make the game longer instead of the latter. Besides, a 30 to 45-minute difference will not deter fans from coming to the games.
Join FDNY: We know the season just began, but what is your early World Series prediction?
Coach Burgos: The Phillies made a lot of moves in the off-season, but at the end of the day ‘Let’s Go Yankees!’
Catcher
Firefighter
Ladder 122 in Brooklyn
Favorite Team: New York Mets
Join FDNY: What are you looking forward to this season?
Firefighter Proscia: We have plenty of new faces this year, so I am looking forward to seeing how we all mesh as a team moving forward. Playing in Citi Field against the NYPD is also one of the biggest perks, so we look forward to playing well and adding more trophies to the collection.
Join FDNY: How do you feel about the new rules that are being implemented in the MLB this year?
Firefighter Proscia: I feel like the new rules definitely favor the hitter more, so while on offense I look forward to that. On the other hand, as a catcher I will have a hard time dealing with it since I love to manipulate the game behind the plate.
Join FDNY: We know that the season just began, but what is your early World Series prediction?
Firefighter Proscia: It’s still pretty early in the season and I think my Mets still have some moves to make before being the favorites to win, but I do believe The Braves have a good chance to win it again.
First Base
Firefighter
Ladder 150 in Queens
Favorite Team – New York Yankees
Join FDNY: What are you looking forward to this season?
Firefighter Reznick: I made the announcement that this will be my last season on the team, so I am really looking forward to taking it all in this season. We have some talented, hungry guys on this team and it’s time for the new regime to take over. I’ve been around to see guys I looked up to show me the way and now I’ve become that core guy for the team and it’s time to pass the torch.
Join FDNY: How do you feel about the new rules that are being implemented in the MLB this year?
Firefighter Reznick: I consider myself a baseball purist, so naturally I am skeptical towards any new rules that can change the essence of the game. So far, the players seem to favor them, but I am sure once the post-season comes and every pitch matters, we will have to wait and see if these rules benefit the remaining teams.
Join FDNY: We know that the season just began, but what is your early World Series prediction?
Firefighter Reznick: I would love to see the Yankees versus Mets again. Living in a city where both of our MLB teams can face-off in the World Series is something that I would love to see again, so that’s my prediction.
Did you hear? @TeamFDNY is where you can now get all of your FDNY sports news. Follow us today on Facebook and Instagram.
