Kosher Little League gives Orthodox players a chance to bond

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The kids played softball, not baseball; some had their shirts untucked; some wore sweats instead of baseball pants; and none wore cleats.

To many, this would be nothing more than a group of kids just playing for fun. 

But that would be far from the truth. It was the scene at Seton Park last Sunday, where the competitive Riverdale Jewish Center’s (RJC) Kosher Little League (KLL) was in action.

Created for Orthodox and Conservative Jewish families that observe the Sabbath and therefore cannot play on Saturdays, KLL plays its games on Tuesdays and Sundays, traditional off days for little leagues. 

“I think it gives the Orthodox kids an opportunity to be included in a competitive league that is consistent with their beliefs,” said Jonathan Rudman, who has coached in the KLL for a decade.

Because it only plays on Sundays, whereas most leagues play on Saturdays, KLL can only schedule games within its league. But the league is large and features two subdivisions — an eight-team junior league comprising of third, fourth and fifth graders and a four-team senior league of sixth, seventh and eighth graders. 

The large number of teams and the 11 to 13 player rosters allows kids to make new friends. Many players are students at the Salanter Akiba Riverdale Academy, with others hailing from Manhattan and Westchester.

For Mr. Rudman, the mix of players is one of the benefits of the league. 

“I think this Orthodox Jewish league enables a lot of kids from different parts of the Orthodox spectrum to play together and to become friendly with kids that they wouldn’t necessarily get to meet,” he said. 

The 40-year-old league’s top priority is to let players have fun. But it also prides itself on being competitive.

“It’s known to be competitive but also pretty friendly,” said Josh Wald, whose son Gavi Wald has played in the league for three years. “So it’s a good balance of the two, which makes it a nice draw for us.” 

Mr. Wald was one of dozens of parents in attendance last Sunday. 

For Adin Rayman, RJC’s youth director and commissioner of the league, parents’ support is essential. 

Kosher Little League, Riverdale Jewish Center, Jonathan Rudman, sports, Daniel Ynfante
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