en News 15 Tuesday, June 26 NORTH ADAMS — For two months this summer, a group of dedicated college-age kids will sweat it out at Joe Wolfe Field with two goals: give fans a good show and give themselves a shot to make it to "the show." The SteepleCats' players? Yes, but the description also fits another group that most fans will never notice or give much thought to — the SteepleCats']]> By Stephen Dravis, Transcript Correspondent Tuesday, June 26 Eighteen former North Adams SteepleCats are still pursuing their Major League dreams, playing professional baseball at nearly every rung of the minor league system and also for a variety of independent leagues. Another has already realized his dream — Joe Smith made his big league debut with the New York Mets in early April.]]> By Adam Bloch, North Adams Transcript Tuesday, June 26 Most kids put the tee away and start taking live pitches when they're 7. By the time they're 14, they're playing on baseball fields with Major League dimensions: 90 feet between bases and 60 feet, 6 inches from home plate to the rubber. But aluminum bats — some people are never weaned off those.]]> By Adam Bloch, North Adams Transcript Tuesday, June 26 For the last three years, North Adams SteepleCats owner John DeRosa and General Manager Sean McGrath have tended to their proud organization one fruitful season at a time. Under their leadership, North Adams has become a model NECBL city — competitive on the field with a dedicated fan base off it.]]> By Ryan Holmes, North Adams Transcript Tuesday, June 26 Al Leyva may be a new face for Steeplecats fans, but he is well known in NECBL circles. North Adams is the third NECBL stop for Leyva, who previously coached for the Manchester Silkworms and the now-defunct Middletown Giants. And even though his "regular job" is 3,000 miles away, Leyva jumped at the chance to come back to New England.]]> By Stephen Dravis, Transcript Correspondent Tuesday, June 26 When it comes to producing Major League Baseball players, North Berkshire isn't exactly South Florida. The list is short but distinguished: Dale Long, Jonah Bayliss and two Hall of Famers — Jack Chesbro and Ulysses "Frank" Grant (who actually only played in the International League and the Negro Leagues).]]> By Adam Bloch, North Adams Transcript