YTS Tribune: Heather

Today, we speak with Heather, manager of the defending champions, “The Vibe”. Heather is in her second season as manager in YTS alongside her husband Ralph. Let’s get to know a little more about her perspective as a female manager and what her goals are for the 2025 season.

1- How does it feel to be a manager of a team with your husband? 

Being a manager of a team with a husband can be both rewarding and troubling at times. We met playing softball so this is a hobby we both came into the relationship with and get to enjoy doing together. Sometimes has managers, we have to remember that no matter what's going on at home it can never be brought to the field. 

1A- Who came up with the name of the team?

The Vibe, is a team that Ralph originally put together years ago for an overnight tournament that didn't get going. It's the green jersey/hat with the red V symbol.

2- What is your favorite aspect of softball? What’s your least favorite?

My favorite aspect of softball is the two hours of distraction time a game gives you. Softball is an outlet for many people that gives you a few hours to forget about everything going on and just focus on the game. 

My least favorite especially becoming a manager is the pettiness and cattiness that goes on behind the scenes between teams/managers. 

3- With the game on the line, who do you trust the most to be at the plate?

Lol-at this question, if the game is on the line I would trust anyone on my team at the plate. But if I had to choose one exact person it would be a mix  between Buzzin or Troy. (Ralph don't count, he's a manager) LOL.

 

4- What are you looking forward to the most this season?

This season what I'm looking forward to is hopefully making it to another championship game and hopefully winning again.

5- What are your goals for this season? 

TO WIN, DUH! But also show people, you can have fun playing, create a family. environment and not have to pay people to join your team!

6- What is something that you want people to know about you ?

One thing about me is that I want people to know l'm VERY involved in managing The Vibe. Ralph & I do it together and it works. I'm not just Ralph’s wife, I am his partner in every aspect!

Heather and The Vibe stand atop the YTS standings as of posting. Her and Ralph will be managing a team in the YTS All Star Game next month. We will see if she can continue her successful ways against the league’s best. Then it’ll be on to business to repeat as Champions, something that hasn’t been done in YTS. We’re looking forward to seeing how the rest of the season pans out for her and The Vibe.

Read More

YTS Tribune: Nick Alvarez

Featured Guest: Nick Alvarez (Bombers CF)

Nick Alvarez has been a member of YTS playing for the Bombers since its inception in 2019. He has won 3 Bombers MVPs and is considered one of the league's top players. Today we sit down with Nick and put him on the hot seat.

Q1: You have been with YTS since the beginning, how do you feel about where the league now compared to where it was? 

Nick: the league has definitely come a long way since its inception. Being there from the jump and seeing what it has grown into is really wholesome. Frank has done a great job in growing the product and also keeping a great vibe for people’s getaways from the real world. 

Q2: What has been your favorite and least favorite part of YTS?

Nick: my favorite part has been playing alongside my brother and also being able to escape and have fun once a week. My weekdays are hectic to say the least and to be able to unwind and have fun has been my favorite. My least favorite is we (The Bombers) haven’t won a championship yet 

Q3: If you were managing a team in YTS, how would you approach putting the roster together?

Nick: it’s important to have a well balanced team and I’m a big supporter of the power Diamond (Catcher, 2B,SS,CF) so I’d start my building there. 

Q4: Many people have questioned your star playing abilities for some reason, how would you respond to those criticisms? 

Nick: criticism has always fueled me but never affected me. The numbers say enough.

Q5: How do you approach each game? 

Nick: I  try to approach each game with integrity and respect to each of my teammates and the opposing team as well. I try to find a well rounded balance between fun and competitiveness.

Q6: You have been Bombers MVP 3 out of the last 4 seasons, do you feel any added pressure to continue that pace or do trust other players to step up and take it from you? 

Nick: I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s pressure on my shoulders to carry a pace because I just go out there and play my game, how it unfolds in the end is out of my control. What I can say is we’ve added excellent pieces and I think it puts a fire under everyone’s ass to try and outperform the people around them. 

Q7: What has your experience been like playing for the Bombers? 

Nick: my experience with the bombers is one I am forever grateful for. To be able to meet lifelong friends from a social media app and it turn into what it is today is something I’ll never forget. The elephant in the room is the championship we so desperately crave. 

Q8: Is there any teammate of yours that you are excited to see play this season? 

Nick: I’m excited to play alongside Tommy in the OF this season. I’ve always thought he was top tier when we played against them during his time on the rebellions. An OF with him, myself and flash will be fun to watch

Q9: What are your expectations for yourself this season? 

Nick: my expectations for myself are to be consistently productive both with the glove and the bat and to finally lead my team to the promise land

Q10: Game 3 bottom of the 7th in the YTS championship, down by 1, bases loaded, 2 outs, what player (on the Bombers or in YTS) do you want at the plate?   

Nick: I’ll exclude my brother from this because it’s him 10/10 times so I’ll go with someone not on the bombers. Always appreciated this guys play, especially at the plate/short. Dude knows how to get it done, especially in big spots, Rob (The Vibe)

I want to thank you Nick for sitting down for this interview and your candid answers. Nick goes for Bombers MVP #4 this Sunday as they open up the season against the Wolfpack at 12:30p. 

Read More

YTS Tribune: Q

Featured Guest: Q  (Pirates Manager)

Q has been a member of YTS playing for the Pirates since its 2020. He was part of the original core of YTS and has branched out into managing these days. Q helped lead his team in 2023 to the YTS Championship. It was a long and tough road but one they overcame to become champions. What was the cost? Was it rewarding? We find out from the man himself…

Q1: First off, I’d like to thank you Q for taking the time to do this and be the inaugural guest on the YTS Tribune. You have been with YTS since the very beginning and now sit here as a YTS Champion. How does it feel to be a Champion? 

Q: It feels good lol We all worked hard to complete the goal . Im glad the hard work payed off . Im ready to try again .

Q2: Was there anything that you did differently in 2023 than you did in previous seasons?

Q:  It was my first year managing YTS . I pretty much stayed the same coaching style that I did with my Aguilas and  WhitePlains Yankees team . Last year it was great players and a great staff with a common goal . That’s my 2nd chip as manager. I knew it would work if we stayed focus .

Q3: What was the biggest challenge last year for you?

Q: Biggest challenge was dealing with the real life aspects while trying to cater to a team full of ppl . Usually I can check out if the world and gather my self . Dealing with deaths and relationships issues but when your a manager you don’t have the opportunity to be down . My team lifted me up higher than what I thought I could go . I will always be appreciative of that .

Q4: What are you most proud of from last season?

Q: I was most proud my friends won . I seen how hard we all worked in years prior . I just wanted us to be winners so bad . I knew we was better . We ended previous years . And we was so close in many leagues . I knew those ladies and gentlemen that I spent years battling with are winners . And we finally was able to show it .

Q5: Was there anyone who stepped up in the team’s time of need that you least expected or did you know the players you could count on every week?

Q: I think it’s unfair to place that much pressure on anyone player or players to be the day in and day out number one option . It’s truly a team effort . Anyone can step up at anytime and the team benefits. For example Pops (Ant) Had the biggest hit of the season in my opinion. You never know if its your moment just be ready .

Q6: You guys have that big target on your backs, what are your expectations for this season?

Q: The beautiful thing about being a target is as long as you hear the shots you know your not dead yet lol . Its the same goal . Keep the love with in and build one step at a time . The team knows the formula we just have to buy in and stay focused .

Q7: Is there anything you think the Pirates do better than any other team in YTS? 

Q: IDK  I don’t really pay to much attention to anyone else . I don’t have the time to do all that . I rather focus on us  and we do a lot of things well. I feel the best thing about us is the work ethic . It’s consistent and players want to get better for themselves and for each other . Anyone can be athletic or throw money around to get what they want . But when you have A+ players showing up in the cages in Dec and Jan with players who trying to make the team or recover from injury it makes for a great atmosphere.

Q8: How do you feel about the former Pirates that decided to move on from the team this season?

Q: I’ve publicly stated it hurts . I don’t understand why shit happened how it did . In my heart I wanted us to win more and be dominant around NYC . 

When we set our goals in life it’s usually a reflection of that moment we are in . 

When you get to the  goal  you set for everything is different it makes you question if it was worth it . 

But I seen the writing on the wall . I seen how things was happening even before we finished the season . I can only be me . I love coaching . I study this shit and I’m good at it . I knew how to get the job done . We didn’t need hero’s we needed everyone to play a role . I hope one day they understandsd that .I still lovey them as people and I want to see them do well in life .

Q9: Is there anyone or anything that you’re going to pay attention to in YTS in order to keep your team a step ahead of the rest?

Q: No everything we need is here already . I enjoy seeing YTS grow . I think this year is going to be the most competitive yet . Frank your doing a great Job and I see all the shit you grow through. Just keep going bro . I don’t think you understand how you bringing so many ppl out to the park . So many Families getting to enjoy competition and a positive atmosphere. I truly thank you for that .

Q10: Game 3 bottom of the 7th in the YTS championship, down by 1, bases loaded, 2 outs, who do you want at the plate? 

Q: Anybody in a Pirates Uniform .🏴‍☠️

That’s what we work for . No matter who the opportunity is in front of we all worked to be ready For the moment . I trust everyone on the pirates to get the job done . And we will .

I appreciate the kind words Q and appreciate the trust you give me and my vision for YTS. It’s not easy but it’s definitely rewarding to see so many people have fun and make YTS a fun atmosphere and experience.  We’re going to conclude this interview here. I appreciate you taking the time to sit down and answer some questions. Is there anything else you’d like to add before we go?

Q: I want to take the opportunity to let everyone know in YTS to have a great healthy season . I hope you all are as proud as I am to represent this league . To my Pirates,Y’all know what to do . Y’all know what matters and who don’t . The love is within .

Read More