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AP Moto Club landed on Lake Avenue just over 6 months ago but owners Anthony Chick, Sam Bey, and Dave Sincox are quickly solidifying a place within the community.

The moto culture and lifestyle club not only sponsors a pro surfer, skateboarder, motocross rider, and tattoo artist, but their attention is squarely on Asbury Park’s burgeoning athletes.

“We are trying to start our own culture and have a sense of community within the city,” said Chick, 35, of Jackson. “Athletes are a part of that and we are trying to do our part in the city.”

This has included a partnership with Asbury Park Toy Drive to distribute gifts Christmas Eve on motorcycles to 89 kids at 38 homes throughout the city and sponsoring the Asbury Park American Youth Football [AYF] League by funding uniforms for the players and cheerleaders, as well as equipment.

When the local AYF team won its championship, they donned AP Moto Club with an award during their banquet last month. It was at that banquet dinner that Chick became aligned with Asbury Park Little League, not only via sponsorship but with Chick serving as coach of it Pony team – The Mets.

“We’re in our third week, meeting three times a week,” he said during Monday’s after school  practice at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Middle School on Bangs Avenue. “You don’t realize how much we’ve gotten out of these kids in such a short time but everyone knows what to do now and where to be; at this point, that’s all I can ask.”

As the nine players trickled into the 4 p.m. Monday practice, Chick adjusted play.

Jerome Johnson Jr, 7, said being at bat was his favorite part of the game, while catcher Harmony McKee-Smith agreed, she had an imaginative vision as she took on catcher duties.

“I like when the ball goes in the air,” she said. “It’s like the ball is flying and if they don’t catch it the balls face will get hit on the ground.”

Hardly missing a pitch while at bat, Carl Christie seemed a natural to follow in big brother Willie’s footstep – former AP Little Leaguer who now plays for Ramapo College. But staying on top of his hits was 8-year-old outfielder Carlos Valdibia.

Chick said he’s concentrating on polishing the fundamentals and making sure the 7 and 8 year olds are having fun.

“It’s all about the basics of throwing, catching, base running and hitting,” he said. “It’s about working together as a team, which is tough for 7 and 8 year olds. At that age it’s not really about someone scouting for talent but about them being involved for a common purpose.”

Chick said his dedication to sponsoring the local youth leagues is based on his own experience as a child.

“Growing up as a kid in Fair Haven, everyone in town supported a little league team,” he said. “We grew up with that; the camaraderie and the feeling that gives you. I’m still friends with those people today.”

One example is the fact that he and business partner Sam Bey are lifelong friends who met at age 6 when they first began playing for a hockey league.

“We took it very seriously,” he said. “We had the same coach for all those years.”

Chick now hopes to rally other local small businesses to sponsor the city’s youth leagues. 

“I did this because I wanted to learn about the real community of Asbury Park,” he said. “I want people to know that they can donate to help out with things like field rentals. These are good kids who want to do the right thing. All they need is the time and attention.”

Aside from coaching and the equipment and uniform sponsorship, AP Moto Club helps fund a Saturday afternoon clinic at AllSport NJ in Ocean Township.

AP Little League president Daniel McKee said team participation grew this year with 84 players, ranging in age from 5 to 15, divided into 6 teams and a tee ball squad.

Each year they send a roster of kids to the Little League World Series and week-long summer camp at Williamsport, Pa. If there is an overflow of participants, McKee said players are sent to a Monmouth University summer clinic.

“It’s a great opportunity for these kids to see the world outside of city limits,” McKee said. “It’s a chance for them to see it’s theirs for the taking as long as they follow a few simple rules.

Other team events will include attending a June tournament in the Bronx, a professional game, and their annual pool party at Hotel Tides on Seventh Avenue.

The AP Little League season kicks off next month and McKee said there are still opportunities to donate and coach. To contact McKee, call 732-768-6860. For more information, visit https://www.eteamz.com/APLittleLeague.

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The Asbury Park Sun is affiliated with the triCityNews newspaper.

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