CHELSEA — At Landmark High School, the teacher has become the student — or at least the shortstop.
On the school's softball league, students lead the teams, choosing players and line-ups and cheering on their teammates. Teachers, who go by their first names at the West 18th Street school, play alongside students.
Four teams of 16 players each make up the league, which includes 13 staff and teachers. They play at the North Meadow in Central Park.
"It's different because all the time it's like they're in charge, in the classroom, and here we get to take charge and tell them what to do," said Michael Durand, 19, a senior from West Harlem.
Durand's math teacher, Charlie Roth, who is also his advisor, plays on his team.
"He's always telling me what to do, so it's really fun telling him what to do," he said.
Brian Wenzler, a 12th grade English teacher, plays shortstop. He said his captains keep him serious. "Jayson'll come up to me, 'You ready for the game tomorrow?'" he said.
Veteran social studies teacher Dennison Joyce, who umps the games, started the league years ago.
Players said their coaches cheer them on when they strike out and give them pointers. Jayson Pascal, 18, a senior from Washington Heights, said he and co-captain Corina Guzman treat teachers and students the same.
"It's good if they're good," he said.
Nelson Ruiz, 18, who graduated last year, came to watch as well. He said the softball league helped kids get along better in school.
"You become cool with everybody, in school it becomes easier to have fun because you know everyone on the field," he said. "Here people who aren't as popular as people in school, they get noticed."
