Tony Maracic enjoyed a round with Syosset Cubs parents Sunday night at Christiano's.

There was still a little work to do, as coaches turned into bartenders to raise money for the travel team's July trip to Cooperstown. But it felt much more like a celebration than a chore, and after what players and parents accomplished in the last nine months, they have every right.

Prior to Sunday's totals the 12-year-old team, part of the Syosset Baseball Association, had raised $29,000 toward the $35,000 cost of the trip. On July 17, the team will begin a weeklong tournament against 95 other teams in the middle of baseball's Mecca. Sunday's event was the brainchild of Christiano's owner Mike Elardo, whose son plays on the team.

A Cubs banner adorned one wall, and a red carpet and disco ball outside the entrance marked the special occasion.

"We've been waiting years, and now it's a month away," says team manager Maracic, speaking of players who have been together for five years. "There's been a lot of talking, a lot of planning, and now we're here."