The Over the Hill Gang's annual charity tournament final was a game to be remembered. On a night when pitching and great defense dominated the action, Darien Press edged Taormina Pizza by the score of 2-1. Taormina's Frank Nardone and Darien's Kris Solberg matched goose eggs as both teams struggled to get their offenses going. With the score tied 1-1 entering the bottom of the ninth, Darien finally broke through for the winning run. After leadoff singles by Brian Tinney and Joe Traina (2 for 3, triple), Joe Algerio moved the winning run to third with a fly out. George "duct tape" Darienzo then hit a sacrifice fly which plated the winning run and gave Darien the championship.

Taormina Pizza, who last year finished last in the league with three wins, played outstanding defense throughout the night. Frank Nardone, Mike Muscara, John Cenuto and Andy McTurk all made great plays in the field to keep the game close. Charlie Kohl and McTurk led their team with multiple hit games.

Darien was led by Tom "T" Ball, Mike Stein and Joe Traina who each collected two hits for the winners. Joe Algerio and George Darienzo, a 20-year veteran of the league, had the two RBI's for Darien. Both teams walked off the field with their heads held high as they put on a great show for the large crowd at Allen Park.

The second annual Home Run Derby had the big crowd on its feet as Thirsty's Bobby Davis won the crown in an extra round playoff. Bobby crushed six home runs in 13 swings to claim the title. Davis connected on five of his last seven swings to edge out Sandtrap's George Cohan as everyone enjoyed the fine performances of this year's participants.

Although the Over the Hill Gang softball games were the focus of the tournament, the event was a fund raiser and a chance to give back to the community in which we live. This year, the league raised over $2,100 for the family of Frank Freedman, a longtime Farmingdale resident who passed away at the age of 38. Frank's young family was in attendance, and the league noted that it was proud to be able to help its friends in the need. In what proved to be the highlight of the night, the winner of the 50/50 raffle, J-2 Lounges Lou Getzelman, donated the winner's share back to the family. Lou's generosity was applauded by all.

Events of this nature take a lot of time and effort on the part of the players and their families to be successful. The league extended its heartfelt thanks to the entire tournament staff on an outstanding job. They also thanked Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Vendito and Assemblyman Steve Labriola for their attendance at the game as well as their continued support of the league. They thanked the staff at Allen Park for their "fine work throughout the year." They also lauded Maria Ball and Pat Kenny for the "fine job" on the sale of raffles and T-shirts throughout the tournament.

The final games on the regular season schedule will be played tonight, Oct. 9, as the league wraps up its 24th year. Our 25th season next year will be highlighted by our annual charity tournament benefiting the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. The league extended a final thanks to everyone who made this year a huge success, and a "special" thanks to the staff at the Farmingdale Observer, who they said, "provide us the forum to keep our league in the news."