In addition to the recent letter to the Observer, there have been conversations in town about the field distribution and other matters during this season's PAL softball and baseball season. We would like to take this opportunity to discuss these issues.

Farmingdale Police Activity League is a volunteer organization that has seen tremendous growth in its various programs over the last five years. This year we will see 3,000 of our children pass through PAL programs. Directors and coaches devote hours of their free time, away from their families, to try and teach individual children the basic skill sets needed and sportsmanship in whatever activity they are participating. We are always looking for additional volunteers to help achieve our mission statement goals.

This baseball/softball year we are further hampered with field scheduling by the construction that is occurring at the elementary schools. At the baseball/softball coaches meetings before the season started, this was explained to all the affected coaches. In addition, there has been a problem with field flooding due to a damaged sprinkler head at Howitt. PAL has purchased rakes, shovels, a wheel barrel, and "speedy dry" to try and keep up with the field flooding. Behind the scene volunteers are continuously working to keep the fields in playing condition.

PAL softball/baseball games have always been played between 5:45 and 6 p.m. to try and get as many innings played as possible. All ages have played at the school fields with a limited amount of games played at Allen Park. Like any community organization, the amount of play dates we get at Allen Park varies from year to year and is achieved at a meeting at Allen before the season begins.

The 40-year tradition of Farmingdale PAL is that of open exchange of ideas on a community based level. We hold open monthly meetings the first Monday of every month at 7:30 p.m. at the recently renovated PAL clubhouse. All community members have always been encouraged to become involved in the development of our programs. As a volunteer group, are we perfect: no. Do we make mistakes: yes we do. Are the mistakes intentional or malicious: absolutely not. No program activities are kept behind closed doors. Issues are discussed in the open at meetings that can be very lively at times.

We hope that this clears up any misconceptions that might have developed and we look forward to seeing you at the next PAL meeting in September.

Jeff Elie

President, Farmingdale Police Activity League