Stating the sixth Annual Arthritis Foundation Softball Challenge ("AFSC") was another good reason to postpone his elbow surgery, outfielder Jeff Steinberg will be in uniform tomorrow as the Columbus Lodge #2143 Golden Lions look to defend their championship title. "Some of them are medical but the biggest reason (to postpone the surgery) was my playoff games have all been delayed because of the lousy weather this spring," said Steinberg.

Steinberg who had undergone tests on his left elbow in early-June, received the doctors' report that revealed he has a torn medial collateral ligament. The power hitting outfielder will undergo "Tommy John Surgery" to repair the damage. Recovery for this procedure is expected to be a minimum of seven months.

Named after former major league pitcher Tommy John, the procedure will extract tendons from Steinberg's right arm and use it to replace the torn ligaments on his left arm, by threading the healthy tendons through holes drilled into the bone above and below the elbow. Jeff's surgery, originally scheduled for July 29, will be on Aug. 25.

Having Steinberg available for the AFSC tournament was welcomed news for an already banged-up Golden Lions outfield. "My elbow still hurts like crazy, but once I get out there, I won't let Ed (Bochynski) pull me from the outfield unless the score is 20-0, in our favor, in the late innings," uttered an exuberant Steinberg.

Earlier this season outfielder Gus Costalas pulled a hamstring (out 4-6 weeks). And before the season began Chris Tranchina tore the ACL in his right knee and is out for the entire season. It's been a juggling act," said manager Ed Bochynski, "but fortunately this year's squad is deep in outfield talent and strong in spirit."

On Saturday, Aug. 9, the Golden Lions defend their AFSC championship title at Cantiague Park in Hicksville. Farmingdale's Larry "Doc" Limbo is scheduled to make his Columbus Lodge pitching debut, replacing the vacationing Anthony Curran. This year's tournament sponsors include Cannon USA Inc., JP Morgan Chase, KPMG, North Fork Bank and State Bank.

Columbus Lodge #2143 Golden Lions are a team dedicated to community service through softball fund-raising events. Since the team's inception, their participation in such events has helped various Long Island charities raise over half-a-million dollars and over the past three seasons has posted a .765 winning percentage.