The Manhasset Baseball League has finished its first season in style with yet another upset in the Major Division Playoffs by the new champions--the Hothem Enterprises Dodgers. The Dodgers beat the PP Whitney Orioles 14-11 in a slugfest as a condensed week of playoffs took its toll on the pitching rotations of both squads.

Although the Dodgers finished the regular season in last place, they were a finely tuned hitting machine in the playoffs. Minus the fierce hitting Johnny Avanzino, who was away at another baseball tournament, players like Tommy Dodge (pitched three innings), Matt Heske (two doubles), Adam Amato (key fielding and hitting) and Michael Hilsdorf (190-foot three-run homer), held off the strong hitting Orioles who were led by Patrick Judge (nine hits in three playoff games), JT Milone (nine strong innings on the mound and seven hits in the playoffs) and the power hitting Danny Rabino. Congratulations to the Dodgers and manager Tom Amato.

Although the weather this spring did not always cooperate, there were many organizations, sponsors and individuals who should be commended for their work and commitment to help make the Manhasset Baseball League (MBL) a success.

Among the plans for next year are:

* more and better baseball fields

* expansion of eligible grades to pre-k through sixth

* refinement of rules on all levels

* grade level playing only (second grade league, third grade league, fourth grade league, etc.)

* dome astroturf and exploding scoreboard on all fields (just kidding!)

* multiple pre-season clinics beginning in mid-January.

First we'd like to thank the 27 team managers and 366 players who consistently came and competed, yet were still able to recognize that the league had growing pains and took it all in stride.

A special thanks goes to Gary Kucich, who worked tirelessly in the background on thankless tasks such as ordering and coordinating equipment and supplies for 27 teams, weekly field preparation, rule development, etc. for a full seven months.

The Minor and Tee-Ball Commissioners, Frank Coughlin and Mark Sauvigne, did a terrific job. Ed Kitt, the league attorney, Rich Reichart, PAL Director, Andy Ruggiero of Manhasset Sports Shop and Craig Schmidt, the Minor Division Umpire Coordinator, all put in lots of hours and made significant contributions to the league.

Thanks also to the Manhasset Park District, particularly Commissioner Ed Winrow, Commissioner Mike Adams and Richard Miller, who gave invaluable assistance and support at crucial times during the season. Thank you to all of the Manhasset PAL lacrosse organizations and coaches for their patience and support. (We hope to make co-existence easier on all next year.) In addition, we wish to thank MHS Athletic Director Fred Apgar and MHS Facilities Manager Tom Mohrman for their full support in both field availability and logistics.

And we wish to thank one more time the enthusiastic sponsors and supporters of this League, which include: RKL Building Specialties, PP Whitney, Phil's Manhasset Sports Shop, Frank McCormick, Mail Boxes Etc., Edward K. Kitt, Esq., St. Mary's CYO, Young's Liquors, Manhasset Video, MBA Auto Repair, Publican's, 5th Avenue Barbers, Bob's One-Hour Photo, Tobacco Junction, DiMaggio's Restaurant, Chase Manhattan Bank, Villa Milano, Salomon Smith Barney, Gino's Pizzeria, Plandome Realty, Metro Dodge Jeep, Great Neck Podiatry Associates, Global Pediatrics, Long Island Savings Bank, TSA Management, Americana Mortgage Group, Schere, Wolland, Scherer, PC, Manhasset Republican Club, North Shore Physical Therapy, Manhasset Park District and many more individual sponsors who were very generous but publicity shy. The 366 players wish to thank you all.

Please check the Manhasset Press starting in early January for news of registration for Manhasset Baseball '99.