This year the OTHG's annual fundraiser was for the benefit of Friends4Jillain which took place on Aug. 18 at Allen Park. This event turned out to be the most successful fundraising event ever for the OTHG organization, which would not have been possible without the tireless, unselfish efforts of many. The league would like to recognize these people along with those businesses and families that donated to this very worthy cause. On the fundraising committee were Maureen Bifulco, Joann Deturris, Jeanne Gatto, Jayne DeSimone, Christian Restani, Klavdia Krieg, Jeanne Williams, Maria Ball and Joe Traina. Those making donations were American Legion Post 449, Granny O'Sheas, Morgan B's, Little Lounge, The Inn on Main, Last Call, Changing Times, Anna Bellas Rest., Long Island Athletics, Runner's Edge, Stuff-a-Bagel, F'dale Lanes, Ruland Deli, Alex's Barber Shop, Party Extravaganza, Adventure Cycles & Sport, Guimenta Family, Island Pulmonary & Assoc., Zwanger-Pesiri Radiology, Tallulah's Biscuits & Baskets, Stew Leonards, Staples, Sign FX, Joe Traina and Joe Reilly. Also helping out during the night was the Refreshment Committee of Billy "Kats" Moyer, Martin Deturris, George Checkers, AnnMarie and Thomas Draghi. "Chief" Ed Butler, pitcher Joe Fanning and Frank Horoszewski as the banker were those who worked the always-entertaining Home Run Derby, won again for the third time by Moby's Paul Nardone. Those earning specific mention for their contributions are Allen Park manager Mike Ruff as he saved the night by arranging to pick up the AWOL Show Mobile, also Ruff and his crew for helping out with setting up. Also Jennifer Crow with her beautiful voice, who returned again for the singing of the national anthem and God Bless America, was accompanied by Jay on the organ. Special mention goes to Fundraiser chairman and the evening's host/MC Ed Schillitto. A special thanks goes out to TOB Councilwoman Elizabeth A. Faughnan who graciously took part in the ceremonies and became an instant friend of OTHG and Farmingdale Village Mayoral Candidate John Gary who set the HR Derby odds and handled the wages. The night began with the Imus Show's Stacy Burgess reading a short story of Baby Jillian's illness and her progress followed by the arrival of American Legion Post 499's Color Guard who were joined on the field by the players and Jillain's family for the national anthem. Good weather and a generous public graced the entire evening. Thanks so much to all; without you this night would not of been possible.

The league's last regular season week was played on Sept. 8 as the teams get ready for the year-end Double Elimination Tournament. The game with the most importance was the showdown between Singletons and Moby with the winner determining the National Division Champion. Moby drew first blood as they score three in the first but Singletons answered with two in the second but Moby still held a 4-3 lead after three. In the fifth Big Red's bats awoke with four runs to go ahead 7-4 which they built on with four more in the seventh. Moby tried to get back into the game with three in the eighth but wasn't able to sustain the comeback as Singletons came away with a 12-8 victory. For the Red Machine, Richie Smindak, Alan Rapfogel, John Gannon and Benny Alberto had the hot bats leading the way with three hits apiece. For Synergy, the American Division leader, they had to use everything they had to edge out Hampton Air 13-12. This game went to the last batter to determine a winner, which came on a walk to Tom Vanasco with two out in the bottom of the last inning. Richie Dargie and Ace Oehl combined to hold off the powerful Hampton bats enough to keep their team in the game. Defensively, Synergy was sparked by outstanding play by Tommy Vanasco, Benny Macchia, and Dave Rubino. Denny Oehl, Bob Cruickshank, and Benny Macchia had key hits when they needed them most. Why was it no one noticed that Bruce Coonan was not in attendance?

Mers completed its regular season with a 12-9 win over Barco to finish 6-7. Mers was one of the hot teams in the second half of the season going 5-1 after that miserable 1-6 start. Hopefully their good play will carry over into the tournament. George Cohan and Kevin Brosnan have been scourging the ball the last two games. They both went 5-5 in the final game after going 4-4 in the previous game. Rob Schelhorn went 4-5 while Tom Vella and Joe Fanning were 3-5. Mers was extremely solid in the field for most of the game as the infield played superbly with second baseman George Cohan, third baseman Bill Gruener, and shortstop Tom Brusca all making some big and exciting plays bailing out some interesting outfield play. For Barco, their season came to end in a game that reflected their play all season. Inconsistent play plagued them for 2006 and this night was no exception. On the positive side was the hitting of Terry McPartland and Bill White who were 4-4, and Phil Tripoli, Tony "Happy Feet" Falcone and Bob Diamond who added two hits each. In a game that earned O'Sheas the final bye slot for the upcoming tournament, Granny's was able to outlast Changing Times 12-9. The game started slowly for both teams that ended in the third when CT scored 3 to go up 6-1. O'Sheas then fought back in their half with their version of small ball. Four RBI singles by Mitch Maghakian, Andy Cohen, Bob Thompson and Jay Donovan got them back into the game. Adding an RBI Sac fly by Bruce Kubart evened the score at 6. Both team's bats went cold till the seventh when O'Sheas picked up three runs on RBI singles by Mickey Newbeck and Brian Mulcahy. Closing out the inning was another sac fly, this time by Tom Lanney on good hustle by Mike Hadnagy. Grannys went on to pick up another three in the eighth using the same formula, RBI singles by Andy Cohen and AL Celeste along with a sac fly by Don Carlin. And not to overlook Walter Hasemann who knocked in the first inning run with a single.

For more information visit www.othgny.com. To contact Gary Jambor or the Over the Hill Gang, email othg_gj@yahoo.com.