The Columbus Lodge #2143 softball committee recently held their winter meetings at the Columbus Lodge building in South Farmingdale. Highlights of the meeting included a reduction of Sunday morning pick-up games, continued participation in charity softball events, and a possible rematch with the Gulotta Lodge.

With a growing schedule of charity events, the committee decided to reduce the Sunday morning "pick-up" games. Opening season is planned for Sunday, April 30 and will run through July. The committee voted to take a "summer break" in August and may participate in a snowflake league for September and October.

The committee voted unanimously to participate in the Easter Seals Softball Classic, the McDonald House Sports Festival and the Arthritis Foundation Benefit Game. In addition, the committee approved participation in the Cystic Fibrosis Softball Tournament and may play for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island. "The tournaments are phat ("great")," said Columbus Lodge's Daron Tripoli.

After three years, the Gulotta Lodge and the Columbus Lodge softball teams are talking about a rematch, to be held this summer at either John J. Burns Park in Massapequa or Cantiague Park in Hicksville. "This would be a good tune-up game for us," said a confident Dave Saviano, leftfielder for the Columbus Lodge.

According to Gulotta Lodge's Pete Garlasco, things will be different this time around. "We weren't used to their quick pitches and we were missing some of our key guys," said Mr. Garlasco. The last time the two teams met, the Columbus Lodge swept the double header 12-2 and 19-3.

"It's funny, three years later he's (Garlasco) making excuses," said Columbus Lodge's Ed Bochynski, Jr. "The day of the game my starting shortstop and third baseman were no-shows, we didn't make excuses, we just played," added Mr. Bochynski. The committee approved the rematch.

The Columbus Lodge and the Gulotta Lodge are both chartered as lodges within the Order Sons of Italy in America. Throughout North America, the Sons of Italy represent men and women of Italian decent. The Columbus Lodge, founded in 1964, has supported local charities and its community for over 35 years and operates under the principle of liberty, fraternity, and equality.