Northport man runs "little league for football"

By Michael R. Ebert
michael.ebert@newsday.com

When Bob Leone proposed a flag football league to Huntington officials in 1998, they laughed at the idea, he said.

“They weren’t willing to share the fields and cut into popular sports like soccer,” said Leone, of Northport, who was the NFL’s regional marketing coordinator at the time. “But finally, we got a field here and there. It was really difficult to get the ball rolling.”

Now in its ninth year, the town’s NFL Flag Football League has expanded to an eight-week season with more than 400 youngsters competing in non-contact games each Saturday. With an emphasis on teamwork, the growing program teaches boys and girls (ages 6-16) the fundamentals of the sport without the hard-hitting action of regulation play.

The rules are similar to those of traditional football, but instead of tackling players, the defensive team must remove a flag or flag belt from the ball carrier to end a down. In Leone’s league, 10-player teams do battle in a five-on-five format on a 50-yard field.

“It’s like little league for football,” said Leone, who is the league’s commissioner. “But if you’re expecting marching bands and ‘rah-rah’ crowds, this isn’t the program for you. We play all kids in all positions, and we encourage parents to help as volunteer coaches.”

Anthony Spinosa, director of the Huntington NFL Flag Youth Football League, works side-by-side with Leone. He says the town’s program teaches young players many of the skills needed for when they go on to play in middle school or high school teams.
“Our players learn how to properly run pass routes and how to catch the ball, while running backs learn how to take a handoff and hit the hole,” he explained. “Quarterbacks learn how to read defenses, call plays and how to properly throw the ball. Kids respond in the most positive way. I’m very proud of the work we’re doing here.”

Currently, Leone is tackling the registration process, which runs until August 25. He’s also planning a coach’s clinic at James Boyd Intermediate School on August 11 and 25, in which interested parents will have the chance to learn plays, drills and coaching tips.

Along with James Boyd, other Huntington facilities slated to host games between September and November are Harborfields and Walt Whitman High Schools, among others.
“It’s great that the town can be the host to such a great event,” said Councilwoman Glenda Jackson. “It’s a good way for girls and boys to participate, compete and gain skills, while learning the importance of physical fitness at an early age.”

Last August, Jackson was on the sidelines when former New York Jets quarterback Boomer Esiason visited a Town of Huntington park to film a commercial promoting the NFL’s flag football program. The advertisement, which aired during breaks of televised NFL games in the fall, featured a handful of local players, according to town officials.

For more information on the Town of Huntington’s NFL Flag Youth Football League, call Outdoor Sports Promotions at 631-261-7173 or Parks & Recreation at 631-351-3089. According to Leon, all football games are coed until age 11 and fees are $75 per child, which includes an authentic NFL flag football jersey and secondary medical coverage.

Caption: A quarterback with flags attached to his belt