The Columbus Lodge #2143 (CL) announce the Golden Lions will return for a seventh appearance at the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island's 10th Annual Business Cares for Kids Sports Festival, which will be held at Cantiague Park in Hicksville on May 22nd. The Golden Lions will participate in the 16-team co-ed softball tournament. Each year, teams from Nassau and Suffolk Counties gather for a day of fun and to participate in the largest charity softball tournament on Long Island. The four round event features both competitive co-ed teams and co-ed teams just looking to help raise money for a worthy cause. The teams that lose in the opening round are invited to participate in a conciliation round.

The Sports Festival (SF) is open to the public and will run various events throughout the day for children and adults. The festival will have a magic show performed by Ronald McDonald, face painting, rides, a barbecue lunch, a silent auction, raffles, miniature golf, basketball and volleyball tournaments, and a kid's walk-a-thon. For walk-a-thon registration one may call Rita at (516) 775-LOVE Ext. 32.

The Ronald McDonald House of Long Island is currently in the process of constructing a new 24 bedroom, 4-story tower that will enable them to accommodate hundreds of additional families each year. The RMH is still $1.6 million dollars away from their capital campaign goal, for funding the $5-million expansion project. Once expansion is completed, the RMH will be able to hold 42-families.

The RMH, a not-for-profit charity, provides a temporary lodging facility for seriously ill children and their families who must travel to Schneider Children's Hospital for urgently needed medical care. Since opening its door in 1986, the RMH has served over 7,500 families. For information regarding event sponsorship, tournaments, or donations one may call Silvana Gullo at (516) 775-5683 Ext. 31.

The Columbus Lodge has a terrific softball team with an explosive lineup that plays exhilarating defensive. Having reached last year's Sports Festival championship game, the Golden Lions expectations are so high that if they don't return to the finals it will seem like a disappointment. Look for their veteran mainstays to come out of the gate fast and fierce.

Simply put, Ed Bochynski is the straw that stirs the Golden Lions' drink. In his eighth year as manager, the Golden Lions captain has navigated his team to the Sports Festival championship game on two occasions (2000, 2003) and won the Consolation Round Championship (2002). In his last four SF appearances, the 44-year old first baseman has batted .675.

Ron 'Gondo' Gandolfo will be making his fifth straight SF appearance. Last year he blasted 3-homeruns in the opening round to set the tone for a spectacular race to the finals. Although hitless in the semi-final and final rounds, Gondo remained invaluable in leftfield. Still maintaining a burning desire to win this event, Gondo has declared, "If we come back with the same team, we'll win it."

Despite a sore elbow (torn ligaments) and off-season surgery, Jeff Steinberg is determined to play through the pain and have another highly productive season. At last year's SF, Jeff batted .750, with an on-base-percentage of .800. The 45-year old cleanup hitter has stated he is on a mission to win this tournament. Could this be the year he completes that mission?

Pitcher Anthony "the Big Sausage" Curran needs to stay in control of his emotions, stay sharp on the mound, and minimize walks in critical situations. The six-time Sports Festival participant has batted a combined .770 over the past two events. If the 27-year old Curran pitches effectively and continues his torrid hitting, (as he has done in the past), the Lions will go deep into the tournament.

Dave Saviano is one of the best hitters in a dangerous lineup. He can use the entire field and has deadly right-centerfield power. The six time SF participant led the Lions in RBIs at last year's event. Dennis Tranchina can run, hit, and loves to play defense - and he does it all hard. With two years of SF experience behind him, Dennis is ready to help CL win the championship.

Once again, slick fielding Joe Percella, who batted .857 at last year's event, returns to solidify the defense up the middle. The low-key Massapequan is arguably the best defensive shortstop in lodge history. The ageless Pete Gisonda (71) returns to coach first base. A year ago, "the ageless one" legged out an infield single, in a pinch hitting assignment, during a 35-0 opening round victory.

Women players are always crucial in a co-ed tournament. This year's returning Lionesses are Rita DiSalvo, a veteran infielder who is on the cusp of setting a CL record for most tournament games played by a female; Lisa Hynoski, who batted .600 in last year's SF; and Levittown catcher Julie Janus, who came off the bench to make her debut in last September's NYC Mayor's Cup.

The 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 $579,000. To become a member of Columbus Lodge, during its 40th anniversary celebration, one may contact Steve LaScala at 735-2535.