We’ve received a number of questions lately about why GVLL wound down the ACEs program, and we want to take a moment to explain the reasons behind this very difficult decision.
A Quick History
ACEs was founded about eight years ago with a specific goal in mind: to give GVLL players the chance to play competitive baseball in the Spring and Fall, without requiring a summer commitment. At the time, the only true local travel option was the Gothams, who fielded one 12U team and required families to play through the summer. ACEs filled a valuable gap—offering competitive play, local tournaments, and flexibility for families.
How the Landscape Changed
Over the past few years, the youth baseball scene in Lower Manhattan has evolved significantly:
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The Gothams expanded to include multiple teams at the 10U, 11U, and 12U levels.
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New travel programs have emerged, offering options that don’t require summer play.
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More kids and families became interested in travel baseball—and many were open to playing through the summer.
As a result, the original need ACEs filled began to shrink.
Challenges We Faced
In the past three seasons, we’ve had increasing difficulty fielding full ACEs rosters, especially at critical positions like pitcher and catcher. Without enough players in our catchment area, the level of competition suffered—and so did the player experience.
Families shared their frustration, and we took those concerns seriously.
At the same time, the number of travel opportunities in the area continued to grow. And with that came more options for families—many of which now better align with what ACEs originally offered.
Why We’re Sunsetting ACEs
After a lot of discussion and reflection, we made the decision to phase out the ACEs program. Here’s why:
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More travel options now exist locally, with and without summer play.
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Player interest has shifted, especially at the 11U and 12U levels.
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We no longer have enough players in our catchment to field competitive teams.
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Player and family satisfaction declined, especially in recent seasons.
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Administrative demands became unsustainable, especially for a volunteer-run league.
ACEs was led by Francisco and Carolyn, who put an enormous amount of time and care into the program. But as challenges grew, more and more of the responsibility began falling to the GVLL Board. Ultimately, our primary focus must remain on running strong recreational baseball and softball programs for the more than 70 teams we support each spring.
What’s Next
Moving forward, the Gothams organization will be offering a Fall and Spring-only travel option designed to serve players who previously would have participated in ACEs. We understand this decision may be disappointing to some families—particularly those with younger players who had positive early experiences in ACEs. Please reach out to [email protected] if you have questions about what the local travel landscape looks like now, including what to expect from the Gothams experience.
Thank you for being part of the GVLL community.