Reinventing “The Sandlot:” Eleven-year-old Creates His Own Baseball Field and League in Fishtown Backyard
Remember “The Sandlot?” You know, that 90s classic baseball flick about a bunch of boys who play ball in their own makeshift backyard field? Max Cramer, an eleven-year-old Fishtown resident, is bringing that idea to the Riverwards.
Max built his own field, right in his backyard, by using his neighbor’s lawn mower. Now he and three of his friends play games each day. The field is a little more than 100 yards all the way across, and its grassy plains contrast the sandy pitcher’s mound. Each of the trees signify bases. While the sandlot may look like a simple backyard field to the average bystander, to these kids, it is a stadium.
Max Cramer steps up to the plate./Hayley Marks
“I got the idea through the movie,” Max said. “I always played baseball at a park across the street but the bases never lined up. I had also missed the signups for Little League, so I created my own field. It’s been working out really well.”
Cramer’s mini -league consists of four players, each with their own teams made up of two players. “My team is called the Homerun Hitters, and that’s made up of me and my friend Jeremy,” Max said. The other team is called the Comeback Kings, which is made up of the boys’ friends, Jason and Xavier.
Xavier poses with his bat in hand./Hayley Marks
“I actually used to prefer hockey, but baseball is my favorite sport now since they built the sandlot,” said Jeremy Kelso, 8.
The boys even made their own baseball cards and hope to make more as more players join the league.
The field is located at 2212 Sepviva Street, right behind Liberty Vintage Motorcycles, which is owned by Adam Cramer, Max’s father. Adam is supportive of his son and his friends’ games, and also wishes more kids would join the team.
“We need some girls on the team too! We’re looking for some female pitchers,” Adam said.
Max and his friends are looking forward to their next championship game, featuring all four players giving it their all. These kids are bringing your favorite baseball-themed childhood classic to life.
Grab your catcher’s glove, your Phillies cap, your Chucks and play ball!
Now here’s a little bit of nostalgia for your afternoon:
