Robert, who would have been a freshman at Miller Place High School this fall, has regularly played three sports with the program since he was about 4 -- the youngest age he could join the group. He just finished up his last season playing with the Yankees in Seniors Baseball, which is open to seventh-, eighth- and ninth-graders. "If we were going to be here, we would have signed him up again," said Mary Fetcho, Robert's mother.

Robert's dad, Joe, recently accepted a position at Cornell University teaching neurobiology, and the family will be moving in August.

"Originally, when he was younger, it was a good way for him to meet other children and socialize," said Ms. Fetcho. "We knew people in church who had their children in CYO so we decided to sign Robert up, too."

"There is a group of kids that were in Tiger Cub Scouts together and all joined CYO many years ago," said Rocky Pointer Bill Bakewicz, coordinator of the CYO program for baseball and coach of the Yankees team. The group includes Robert and Mr. Bakewicz's own son, Jonathan.

The Fetchos, who have been members of the parish for the past 14 years, have been very pleased with the program, which offers track, basketball, soccer, baseball, softball and T-ball (as one unit) on a strictly intramural basis.

"It's run very nicely," Ms. Fetcho said. "The kids learn how to have fun. They play fairly together without a lot of competition. There are no benchwarmers. Everyone gets to play every day."

The commitment level from the families involved encourages a special bond between the players and the spectators. "You cheer for everyone," Ms. Fetcho said. "Even players on the other team. We've watched these kids grow up."

Chris Otano of Wading River, a sophomore at Riverhead High School, also is a three-sport athlete in the program. This season of baseball was his final one as a player, as he is now too old to participate. However, he will return as a soccer coach for kindergartners, along with his dad. "My kids grew up at St. Anthony's," said Gilbert Otano, who coaches and coordinates for the program.

His daughter, Kellyann, 17, started playing soccer when she was 4. "Kids come from all over," Mr. Otano said, noting the parish currently has players from places as far away as Mastic Beach. "People come here because it is noncompetitive and so nurturing."

"We're trying to develop character," Mr. Otano added. "This is never about failure, never about losing a point. It's always about emphasizing the positive in a child."