Syosset Baseball Association held its annual Memorial Day All-Star Games and Picnic on May 24 with a full slate of games, fun, food and great weather.

The day unfolded with the tradition of Syosset Woodbury Park's Director, Joe Ramos and his crew getting all the fields manicured for a great day of baseball, putting the finishing touches on for game-ready conditions.

The first game took shape with the 8-year-old Division, taking the 8:45am slot to start off the day. Another tradition for our day has been the generous donation of morning bagels and coffee from Alex at Bagel Master. Bagel Master had a table set up with bagels and coffee for the early morning attendees to start off their day. Before the start of the game, Pete and Nick Meyer from Cub Scout Pack 168 marched to the centerfield area of the 60' grass area to present the colors for our National Anthem and Star Spangled Banner. The flag the Meyer's brothers had the privilege of holding was given to Pack 168 from Chief Warrant Officer David Tomlinson of the United States Navy. The flag was flown in Bagram Airbase located in Afghanistan on Veterans Day 2007. Since it was flown in the face of the enemy, it is now considered a "battle flag". The Star Spangled Banner for this game was sung by members of the A.P.Willits Chorus, Ayda Kahn and Melissa Popeil. Acknowledging the hard work each and every week of the baseball season that Joe and his team do to get the Park ready, he was asked to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Finally playing some baseball for the day, the game between Team Mandelbaum and Team Marx ended up after 6 innings in a 3-3 nail-biter. Time was still available but both teams felt fitting to end this well-played game in a time with Hunter Weisman taking home one of the MVP honors for this game, Jared Grossman enjoyed the other MVP honor for this game for driving in Max Decker with the tying run. The other 8-year-old game offered an equally exciting baseball finishing with an 11 to 3 game in favor of team Maroon. Team Maroon's John Rochford pitched a 1,2,3 inning to open up the game, striking out 2 and reaching base all 3 times he was up, while Team Green's James Nelson and Thomas Goldrich both reached base all 3 times for their squad.

After the game, all players and families were invited to the shuffleboard area for a well-deserved meal courtesy of Syosset Baseball. The barbebeque fired up for the first of many parade of hunger families throughout the day. By day's end, Syosset Baseball Association had gone through over 5,000 hamburgers and hotdogs as well as 50 watermelons, drinks and snacks. Thanks to those Syosset Baseball Board members who worked the hot grills during this sun-drenched day.

As the 9-year-old games were about to unfold at 11 a.m., Quackerjack, The Long Island Ducks mascot arrived, ready to meet, greet and mingle with fans young and old. Long-standing Syosset Baseball singer and resident Holly Roselle gave her acapella rendition of the National Anthem prior to the start of these games. Again, with the assistance of Cub Scout Pack 168, the colors were presented for the Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem. Quackerjack was then asked to throw out first ball pitches at both A Division games. The game on the grass field between Team Schuster/Levine/Moyett vs Team Machson/Puccio provided for a nip and tuck game with Team Machson/Puccio edging out Team Schuster/Levine/Moyett 4-3. Domenic Sciove closed out the last 2 innings to seal the victory for Team Machson/Puccio. Team Schuster/Levine/ Moyett's Harrison Cohen had the hit of the game ripping a double to the base of the wall in centerfield. Both Cohen and Sciove were named MVP's of their respective teams for this well-played game.

The Major League Division game, our flagship event of this day provided an extra- special treat for these players as Syosset Baseball Association invited Hall of Fame pitcher Ferguson Jenkins down to the field to be a part of our festivities for the day. Mr. Jenkins arrived and gladly autographed baseballs, hats, shirts, bats and whatever was asked of him as well as graciously posed for pictures with those requesting to have their photos taken with this great pitcher in baseball history. As the game was about to get started, the National Anthem was sung by another long-standing Syosset Baseball singer, Sara Ross along with Cub Scout Pack 168's presenting of the colors in centerfield. Deacon Richard Murphy, whose son we remember on this date for his participating in Syosset Baseball, Brian Murphy, threw out one of the first pitches as well as Ferguson Jenkins was given this honor to this group as well. Team Jaloza/Beck, Zecker and McCardle won this game highlighted by Alex Perry's 1st inning leadoff home run. Robert Speranza enjoyed the day to remember with a single and 2 run homer.

The AA Division games kicked off next with A.P. Willits members Jae Ni Lee, Michael Scarangella and Brett Kahn singing the National Anthem and Cub Scout 168 again assisting in the presenting of the colors. Team Fierro won their game 7 to 6 highlighted by Christopher Florio going 3 for 3 and Michael Elarda and Aditya Dave each going 2 for 3.

The Junior Division game took place starting at 10 a.m. at the turf field behind the pool with the 13-year-old Junior Division enjoying their first All-Star game highlighted by World War II Veteran Gus Scutari throwing out the ceremonial first pitch. This game was followed up by the Senior Division game which featured the All-Stars from the Senior Division ages 14-17.

The final games of the day were from the AAA Division with A.P. Willits Chorus members Christopher Welsch, Jaqueline Wagner, Alexandra Kornspan, Jennifer McClane, Courtney Handel, Elaine He and Jordyn Boscia singing the National Anthem and again the assistance from Cub Scout Pack 168 with the presentation of the colors. Team Lowitt/Mittleman/Weinstein/Scarangella faced Team Keingarsky, Passero and Zimmerman. Highlights from this game were Derek Spillane striking out 5 of the 6 batters he faced. Chris Louie and Josh Weinstein kept Team Keingarsky from scoring through 4 innings with some great defensive plays. Team Lowitt prevailed in this back and forth game with Steven Scalley for Team Lowitt and Nick Hatzipetrakos for Team Keingarsky names MVP's for their respective teams.

The final round of hot dogs, hamburgers, watermelon and drinks were served for those AAA Division players for their well-played games as the day's events concluded and time to reflect on a great day of baseball, fun, comradery and what this game is about and what Syosset Baseball Association brings to the community for everyone to enjoy and be apart of.

Well-planned and strong volunteer participation from the Board of Syosset Baseball Association provides the needed ingredients to ensure a successful day as was the case. Without that vital ingredient of each Board member giving of their time to the league and community, this day doesn't happen, no less, be as successful and enjoyable as each and every attendee (players, family and family members) witnessed and enjoyed.

Thanks to everyone for making this day a huge success...players, family members, family member guests, A.P. Willits chorus members, Holly Roselle, Sara Ross, Cub Scout Pack 168, Quackerjack, Mr. Ferguson Jenkins, Mr. Joe Ramos (Syosset Woodbury Park Facility Director), umpires and Syosset Baseball Board members.

A calendar and events for Syosset Baseball Association can be found on www.syossetbaseball.org.