Coach of the Month: Vinny Zanfardino

Vinny Zanfardino started his coaching career in 1997 when he stepped up to coach his daughter’s Little League team.

What started as a hobby turned into a full-blown obsession for Zanfardino, 48. Coaching became an outlet to do some good for children while staying close to the game he loves: baseball.

Golf Course To Be Named In Honor Of Colby

On Saturday, May 18, the Town of Oyster Bay will conduct a ceremony to officially re-name its golf course in honor of Joseph Colby, a resident of Massapequa Park who served as the Town of Oyster Bay’s 56th supervisor. The Honorable Joseph Colby was appointed supervisor in 1977 and was elected to that office five times in the following ten years. He was then elected as a New York State Supreme Court Justice in 1988, a post he held through his retirement from public service in 1992. The unveiling will take place at the main entrance of the course off South Woods Road in Woodbury.

“When the sign for Honorable Joseph Colby Town of Oyster Bay Golf Course is unveiled, it will celebrate an outstanding career in public service,” Supervisor John Venditto said. “Joseph Colby has always had the needs of the public as his top priority and has been widely respected for his innovation and responsiveness. This golf course will now forever bear his name as a tribute to his outstanding legacy.”

Observer Athletics Come Out on Top

Anthony Patullo and Michael Homan pitched solidly, with Homan earning the win in their 5-4 victory over the Titleland Agency Giants on Saturday, May 4. Evan “Mariano” Barrow came in during extra innings to strike out the side with the bases loaded for the save.

Pops Field Renovated

Town of Oyster Bay residents and local officials gathered on Saturday, April 27 to re-dedicate the newly renovated little league baseball park known as “Pops” Sabellico Field.

The park, located on Merritts Road in Farmingdale, was first dedicated by the Town in 2001 to posthumously honor James “Pops” Sabellico, a lifetime resident of Farmingdale who dedicated his life to his family and, as a highly regarded baseball coach, the children of the community.

Observer A’s Win Thriller v. Angels

Grisanti hits two 3-run HRs

The Massapequa Observer A’s led early with great pitching by Michael Homan through three innings. In the top of the fourth, Michael Grisanti hit his first HR to put the A’s up 3-0. In the bottom of the inning, the Angels stormed back to tie the game 4-4. In the top of the sixth, the A’s went up 5-4 with a key hit by Robbie Cecala. Grisanti added the necessary insurance with another 3-run HR to put the A’s up 8-4. The Angels struck back in the bottom of the sixth with a 2-run HR by Matthew Zanfardino and the second of two doubles by Connor O’Rourke. With two outs and a man on third, the A’s held on for a thriller of a win. Earlier in the week the A’s had lost to the Park Physical Therapy Dodgers 3-1, with a solo HR by Grisanti.

Karate On Merrick

Punching, And Then Some

The American Black Belt Academy is a thriving 20-year-old institution born out of one man’s love of the martial arts sits nestled between restaurants, doctor’s offices, and clothing stores in the middle of Massapequa Park.

Tom LoVarco, Senior Instructor and owner of the American Black Belt Academy, said that he didn’t discover his true passion and fighting style of choice - Kempo Karate - until he was an adult.                                                                                                                                          

Massapequa A’s Beat Undefeated Cardinals

The A’s beat the Cardinals this past Saturday 5-4 coming back from a 4-1 deficit.

Jason Kopp started the game with Rob Cecala coming on in relief to earn the win.

Play Ball!

Opening Day In Massapequa

Opening day of the Massapequa International Little League brought out Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto and Town Councilman Joseph G. Pinto, as well as officials from local government. The ceremonies were Held at Brady Park in Massapequa Park. Officials on hand were Nassau County Legislator Michael Venditto, Massapequa Park Deputy Mayor Jeffrey Pravato, Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano and District Court Judge Rhonda Fischer.

Massapequa Observer A’s Continue Roll

The Massapequa Observer A’s took 2 out of 3 last week to improve their record to 3-1. On April 9th, their bats came alive as they defeated the OMF Pediatric Nationals 11-5. Michael Homan picked up the win striking out six Nationals in three innings.  April 13th the A’s came up short losing to the Kleer Fax Yankees 4-1. Michael Grisanti pitches well in the loss giving up two unearned runs.  April 15th the A’s defeat the Big Al’s Fitness Rangers 10-4 behind four solid innings pitched by Brendan Castonguay and great defensive play with three runners being thrown out at the plate.

Run For ASPIRE

The 36th annual Run for ASPIRE 10K race was held, and runners from Massapequa and Massapequa Park captured some of the honors. The 10K Run started and finished at the H.B. Mattlin Middle School on Washington Avenue in Plainview, with a course that took the runners down Plainview Road to Haypath Road and up Round Swamp Road back to Plainview.

Runners from the Massapequas who came home from the ASPIRE 10K with awards included Chris Mammone of Massapequa (3rd OA,. 2nd 25-29), Matthew Wontz of Massapequa (3rd 25-29), Lorraine Heuther  of Massapequa (3rd woman 55-59), Howard Kestenbaum of Massapequa Park (3rd 80-84) and Ruth Maller of Massapequa Park (2nd woman 80-84).