The Great Neck Weekend Softball Organization is now in its 16th year and how sweet it still is. For the fourth consecutive opening day, local opera star Sandia Ang sang her dulcet rendition of our Star Spangled Banner. Sandia always adds class and elegance to an admittedly raucous, fun loving group of ball players.

Generally there are three games played each weekend from 8 to 10 a.m. The two games on Saturday are played on fields 3 and 5 in Kings Point Park on the Redbrook Road side. The Sunday game usually is at Allenwood Park, but for the past year it has been played at Kings Point Park on the Steamboat Road side, while the Allenwood field is being renovated. The Great Neck Park District is making the Allenwood field a "premium field" and it is due to open very soon. The players are eager for the opening.

Each of the three games has developed its own unique personality over the years. Players gravitate toward the game that most meets their recreational needs. All the games are "choose up" games. Those who play on KPP field #3 on Saturday mornings affectionately call their game, the "B" game. This is the most relaxed of the three games. There are no balls and strikes, no leads off a base and no umpires. There is only easy lob pitching. It's a very friendly game, with lots of amusing trash talk and good-natured kidding. The skill level is very varied and players range in age from 40 to 66 but occasionally younger players do participate. It's a perfect game to join if you are a person who used to love to play ball, but have not picked up a bat or mitt in many years.

On KPP field #5, players, on the average, are 10 years younger. This game is also very social but it's a bit more competitive. Much care is taken toward making balanced teams. Good fundamental softball strategies are emphasized. Many of the players play in organized leagues during the week. Although everyone plays hard and plays to win, once the game is over, the score is quickly forgotten and everyone is friends again.

The Sunday game is the most intense of the three games. It's the only one of the games that has modified fast pitching, with balls and strikes. Players volunteer to umpire. Leads off bases are allowed. Like the other two games the skill levels vary greatly. Players range in age from 25 to 66. About half the Sunday players come from both the "A" and "B" Saturday games.

All three games have produced great friendships over the years. There is a wonderful spirit of camaraderie among the players. Many never envisioned that they'd still be playing softball in their 40s, 50s and 60s. They are all appreciative of this and it far outweighs the outcome of a game.

The official season begins in April and continues through the end of November. In July and August there are often Friday games when enough players are available. Weekly highlights of the games are e-mailed to all the members regularly. The emails also contain updates, announcements, rule changes and humorous anecdotes involving the players. There is a yearly Softball Dinner also. For the past 4 years it's been held at Edison's Ale House in Manhasset.

Since Great Neck Weekend Softball is not a league, there is no pressure or obligation to play every week. It's a very low-pressure situation. Missing a game is no big deal. You are not making a commitment to a team. You are not letting anybody down if you cannot be there. Some play as few as 5 games a year and others play as many as 70 games a year. By ending at 10 a.m., we not only come back home happy, but we still have the entire day before us. We use a deBeer Clincher softballs which are the softest, safest, balls available. The park district does a magnificent job of keeping the fields smooth, level, and dry each week. The annual fee is $50, which covers the cost of insurance, new softballs and equipment. Rookies of any age or of any gender are always welcome. For more info call Gary at 996 2641 or send an e-mail to GLLWSL @ aol.com. It's probably the easiest way to make friends in Great Neck.