"If you're constantly looking back, chances are pretty good you'll fall into a hole ahead," said Ed Bochynski, captain of the Columbus Lodge #2143 Golden Lions, just before his team took the field, at the 5th Annual Business Cares for Kids Sports Festival, held on June 12 at Cantiague Park in Hicksville. "Our team just doesn't look back."

The Golden Lions learned from last year's first round loss (to the eventual tournament champs, Farmingdale-based US Computer Group), but didn't dwell on it. As the Lions took the field, the team was confident. "We got our swagger back," said Lions' Anthony Curran.

In the first round, the Columbus Lodge quickly disposed of Margolin Winer and Evens and were set to take on Foltz Vending Machine. Foltz had already defeated the team from McDonald Corporation (last year's finalist). The win against the McDonald Corporation placed Folt Vending as the favorites in the tournament.

In the first inning, Joe Pasale's lead-off walk led to two quick runs, as Dave Saviano cracked a two-run home run. Jeff Saviano's two-out double drove in Daron Tripoli and the Lions led 3-0. In the bottom of the second, Ed Bochynski's lead-off walk opened the gates for five more Columbus Lodge runs; Daron Tripoli's three-run home run capped the inning.

Tallyann Byrne, a junior at Molley College, was pitching a masterful game for the Golden Lions, until the fourth. "The umpire squeezed the plate on her," said Lions' veteran Frank Curran. Six walks soon led to six runs in the inning and the Columbus Lodge lead had dwindled to 9-7, as they headed into the bottom of the fourth.

"Let's get 'em back," sounded Lions' Anthony Curran, and that's just what they did. The Lions scored four in the bottom of the fourth and three in the fifth. Ed Bochynski's two run triple and Daron Tripoli's two run homerun, his second of the game, were the finishing touches on a 16-7 victory. "When you wake up the Lion, be prepared to hear him roar," said Northport resident Frank Roseto.

The second year Columbus Lodge Golden Lions were heading into the semi-finals against Port Washington based Global Equipment. Global, a veteran team to the tournament, had already defeated Poland Spring and Fala Direct Marketing and was determined to tame the Lions. In the first inning, Global broke out to a quick 3-0 lead.

In the bottom of the first, Lions' Joe Pasale led off with a single to right, but was thrown out trying to stretch it to a double. The play proved costly as the Lions loaded the bases but failed to score. In the third inning, Global came up with four runs and took a 7-0 lead. The Columbus Lodge got a break in the fourth, as Global's rightfielder dropped Anthony Curran's leadoff pop-up to right.

Jeff Saviano capitalized on the error, with a single to the opposite field; and walks to Maggie Gonzales and Ed Bochynski and the Lions' scored their first run. "Hippie Tony" Novarro and Gina Nonenaker each followed with a two run single; three batters later Pasale drove in run number six; that was as close as the score would get, as Global won 14-6.

In the finals, Global Equipment motored by Petro Oil, 17-4. A McDonald House volunteer remarked, "I was glad Global won. They've been in this tournament, win or lose, for five years." Global's win earned them the honor to play against a celebrity team made up of the cast from One Life to Live; the game was held one week later.

For the second year in a row, the Columbus Lodge got eliminated by the eventual champs; however, making the semi-finals and losing to the tournament champs is an important step forward in the Lodge's quest for the championship.

"Our team is resilient. Tally (Byrne) came back from knee injuries to pitch great, Susan (Hamel) took a cortisone shot to play. No sooner did we lose than half a dozen members came up to me and asked if we could play in next year's tournament," said Ed Bochynski.

Columbus Lodge Softball noted that the true champions at the sports festival were the volunteers who donated their time and energies for the Ronald McDonald House. Silvano Gullo, executive director of the House, is anticipating the donations raised at "5th Annual Business Cares for Kids Sports Festival' will exceed last year's total of $50,000. Said Bochynski, "We'll (the Golden Lions) be back next year."