On April 5, the Sons of Italy, Columbus Lodge #2143 Golden Lions open their season by participating in the 15th Annual C. J. Sullivan Softball Classic, for the benefit of St. Mary Hospital for Children ("The Hospital") at Cunningham Park in Flushing Meadows, Queens. The hospital is a premier provider of intensive rehabilitation and specialized care for children with special needs and life threatening illnesses.

The event will feature 32 teams throughout the metropolitan area and Long Island and is organized each year by Kenny Schmidt from C.J. Sullivan's American Grill in Bayside in memory of a colleague's daughter who died from brain cancer. For further information about participating in the event, one may call Kenny by e-mail at oakierip@optonline.net.

The Golden Lions are coming off a solid 2007 campaign that included two softball tournament championships (McDonald's Sports Festival and C.J. Rovin Foundation). Both title games were come-from-behind victories. Lions player/manager Ed Bochynski has guided his team to a .824 winning percentage over the past two seasons and, since inception, the team's participation in charitable fundraising events has helped raise over $742,000 for local charities.

The trip to Cunningham Park marks the team's first visit to Flushing Meadows since 2003, when the team won the Queens Bough Championship and then advanced to the semifinals of the NYC Mayor's Cup, which was held in Central Park. Farmingdale's Phil Guerreri and Daron Tripoli, who will see duty at the hot corner, will be joined by original Golden Lions players Anthony Curran and Dave Saviano for the opening day event.

Massapequa's Joe Percella and outfielders Jeff Steinberg & Dennis Tranchina return for their seventh season with the Lions. Percella, a shortstop who is coming off a Joe Bermudez Award winning performance from a year ago, is the glue of the infield. All three players combine extra base ability at the plate with a high on-base-percentage. Power hitters Jaime and Koki Campos will also be in the opening day lineup, along with the vibrant Mooky Castillo.

A member of the Order Sons of Italy in America, the Columbus Lodge #2143 is a not-for-profit fraternal organization that offers its members various social and recreational activities, as well as community and charity involvement. The Golden Lions, an affiliate of the lodge, is a softball team dedicated to community service through softball fund-raising events. To become a member contact Gary Caparco at 799-2613.