In response to Mr. Elie's article dated Aug. 10 regarding PAL Senior Baseball and Girl's Senior Softball, we think it is pertinent that the facts regarding the distribution of fields be made known to the good citizens of Farmingdale and the Massapequa area. Firstly, we have been involved as coaches in PAL baseball for the last ten years. We have contributed numerous hours coaching and teaching our youngsters the skills needed to play the game of baseball. Many a night we rushed home from work and head straight to the baseball field. Many times we helped to get the fields in shape if they were not in playable condition, this we did not because we were obligated but it was the right thing to do.

The facts of the distribution of fields, this was done behind closed doors with two directors, not all coaches and I repeat not all coaches were informed or invited to this so-called meeting. At this meeting it was decided by the two directors in attendance that the younger boys division would play most of their games at Allen Park. In short the directors made sure their sons (who play in the younger divisions) would play on the premier fields at Allen Park while the older boys baseball and the older girls softball would be left to play on elementary and middle school fields such as Mill Lane and Weldon E. Howitt, fairness in judgment I think not, nepotism most certainly.

Now we would like to address the open door policy that Mr. Elie mentions in his article. In the ten years of coaching, we were never told nor invited to any monthly meetings. On July 4, a few baseball coaches went to the PAL clubhouse to get some explanation as to how the fields were distributed to the different divisions. Mr. Elie, these coaches were not even permitted in the front door, not even allowed in the building, some open door policy, Red China has a better open door policy. Finally the Farmingdale PAL has been a great organization providing many different types of sports and activities to the youth of this area. As always it is not the organization at fault but the few in charge who abuse their power and do not answer to those they should but answer only to themselves. These few have taken a great organization (which many have sacrificed a great deal to create a top-notch organization) and turned it into nothing but utter confusion and chaos.

Finally, Mr. Elie, please don't sugar coat the issues: your letter was nothing but a defense and a weak defense at that, of those who made a serious blunder in this summer's PAL baseball and softball season. We all make mistakes, this is true, but we should try to correct our mistakes, not sweep them under the carpet. Mr. Elie, let's not forget we are here for our children; we are not here for our own personal gain. Our children are our future and they deserve the very best that we can provide for them.

John Criado

Paul Altamore

Carmine DeRiso

Farmingdale Senior PAL Baseball and Senior Girls' Softball Coaches