The Ronald McDonald House of Long Island will be celebrating its 20th anniversary at their annual Sports Festival, on Sept. 9, then follow-up with a Gala black-tie dinner at the end of the month. Sponsored by Anton Community Newspapers, the McDonald's Sports Festival hosts the area's most successful charity softball tournament in the metro area. Returning for a ninth consecutive year is the Columbus Lodge #2143 Golden Lions co-ed softball team ("CL").

The Sports Festival attracts softball teams from Nassau, Suffolk, and Queens counties to participate in its modified co-ed softball tournament (three-girl minimum). This event features both competitive teams and teams looking to have fun while helping raise money for a worthy cause and it is sold out. All teams are guaranteed two games and receive commemorative event T-shirts, breakfast and lunch by Applebee's, water, and team photo plaque.

The Columbus Lodge Golden Lions have reached the finals on three occasions, winning in 2004. Although they are not the offensive powerhouse from a couple of years ago, their lineup can still score runs in abundance and doesn't quit until the last out is registered. Always a threat to go deep into this tournament, the Golden Lions is a splendid collection of seasoned ballplayers that capitalize on opponents' mistakes and rely on superior defense to keep them in games.

CL's strength centers around their infield defense, it has no holes. Four-time Villanova All-American Jackie Pasquerella fields the hot corner like Michael Jordan dunks a basketball; both are dazzling. Up-the-middle Massapequa shortstop Joe Percella and second baseman Lisa Hynoski have good lateral range and will engulf most groundballs seeking the outfield, while veteran Ed Bochynski still has a superb glove at first base, nothing gets by him.

The team's offensive synergy centers on its veteran outfielders, all of whom provide a deadly combination of high on-base average and extra-base power. At last year's event, Dave Saviano led the team in hits, doubles and runs scored, while four-time participant Dennis Tranchina led the team in HRs and RBIs. Veteran Jeff Steinberg (47) still can impact any game with one swing of his bat and the addition of leftfielder Jaime Campos provides added lefty power to an already solid lineup.

Anthony "Big Sausage" Curran, who has belted more home runs at this event (10) than any other CL player, returns with Lioness Julie Janus, who will once again handle the bulk of the catching duties. Bethpage's Roland "Mooky" Castillo and Alicia Smith are expected to provide added pop off the bench. The "ageless one," Pete Gisonda returns as first base coach. Gisonda (73) has been involved with Columbus Lodge softball for over twenty years.

Despite being able to field a solid team, Columbus Lodge will be challenged by longtime Sports Festival participants Astoria Federal, AXA Advisors, Coffee Distributing Corp., and KPMG; while new hurdles will be supplied by Farrell Fritz, Deloitte, Lloyd Staffing, MetLife and TD-Ameritrade. ASA's Elliott Wierner will once again provide the "men in blue" to umpire the games. ASA has provided voluntary umpires since this tournament's inception.

The Sports Festival is opened to the public and will have activities for the entire family, including a magic show performed by Ronald McDonald, face painting, miniature golf, a Kids Walk-a-Thon, a barbecue lunch, tennis clinic run by USTA members, Texas Hold Em tent, silent auction, raffles, basketball and volleyball tournaments. For tournament and walk-a-thon registration information or to sponsor a walker or event, call Jean Ellis at 775-5683, ext. 140.

The Ronald McDonald House of Long Island is a not-for-profit charity that provides a temporary lodging facility for seriously ill children and their families who must travel to nationally renowned Schneider Children's Hospital for urgently needed medical care. Since opening its doors in 1986, the RMH has served over 9,000 families. Last year, they completed a new $5,000,000, four-story wing expansion that more than doubled the capacity of this facility.