North Shore Synagogue’s ‘Walk-a-Maniacs’

For over 10 years, the North Shore Synagogue “Walk-a-Maniacs” have participated in the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Great Strides Walk. On May 30, members of the North Shore Synagogue “Walk-a-Maniacs” joined more than 1,500 participants at Hofstra University to enjoy a fun family event and to help raise awareness and critical funds for life saving research, education and care programs for Cystic Fibrosis (CF), a fatal genetic disease. At one of four walk sites on Long Island, the Hofstra group helped raise almost $850,000 collectively. Through this year’s Great Strides Campaign, the CF Foundation hopes to raise $46 million nationally.

News From the Long Island Junior Soccer League

The Long Island Junior Soccer League recently announced that Ryan DeBenedittis of Syosset will receive the LIJSL’s Frank Gorman Memorial Scholarship.

Frank Gorman was one of the LIJSL’s greatest players ever and arguably the top player on a Brentwood Arsenal team that included now longtime professional player Mike Petke. Frank not only strived for perfection, he achieved it! He starred at Brentwood High School in both soccer and track plus ran more than a 1,000 miles annually to be in top condition, then went on to play soccer at Hofstra. At the age of 26, he was working in life insurance and volunteering with Adelante, where he talked with kids about their future plans, when his life was tragically cut short on January 5, 2003. Frank and his brother John were walking across a Smithtown street when they were hit by a drunk driver. Thousands attended Frank’s wake and funeral as Newsday ran a headline on Page 2, “Everybody Loved Him.”

Registration Underway for Main Street Mile

Farmingdale Race to Benefit Champions in Courage Foundation

Registrations are now being accepted for the Main Street Mile, which is returning to Farmingdale’s Main Street on Saturday, Sept. 5 at 4:15 p.m. The quarter-mile Kids Fun Run will take place at 3:30 p.m. Join Pat LaFontaine, Runner’s Edge, Dave and Busters, Henry Schein, Inc., Carter, DeLuca, Farrell & Schmidt, Dr. Larry Lembo and Cisco Systems to benefit the Champions in Courage Foundation. Other sponsors include Wickham, Bressler, Gordon and Geasa, Stop & Shop, Anheuser Busch, Greater Long Island Running Club, World Gym – Wantagh, Nutty Irishman, Library Café, Babylon Bike Shop, Bill Romas, LMT, Long Island Tri Coach, Dr. Joseph Ciaccio, DDS and Mizuno.

Proceeds of the race will benefit Lion’s Den interactive playrooms in children’s hospitals across the country. Pat LaFontaine will serve as the honorary race marshal. Post race awards and raffle will be held. Registration is $15 by Sept. 3, $20 after and $5 for the Kids Fun Run. Online registration is available at www.active.com, search word Main Street Mile Farmingdale. For more information on the race or sponsorship opportunities, call the Runner’s Edge in Farmingdale at 420-7963 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

All My Years of SYAC Softball

As I walk off the field for my last time as a SYAC player, I can’t believe it’s over. Over the past nine years I have looked forward to the spring time. This is when softball begins. For me it was a time that I will always treasure.

Over the years I have had many different coaches. All of them have taught me many things over those nine years, but the most important thing that my mom and Jackie taught me, as my coaches for many of those years, is that it isn’t always about winning. They always said, “Go out and have fun.” Some say we may have had too much fun.

Jericho Athletic Association’s Annual Picnic and Baseball Playoffs

On Saturday morning, June 13, the barbecues by Zorn’s Catering Service were set up in anticipation of a big turnout for the annual community tradition of the Jericho Athletic Association Picnic during its baseball and softball playoffs. By late morning with the sun shining, and the food cooking, the playoff games began. During the day, our various leagues, with some very exciting games, were constantly being played on the Jericho High School baseball fields.

Green Vale Welcomes New York Giants’ Zak DeOssie to School

Students in Maggie Connolly’s fourth-grade class at The Green Vale School had a very special visitor to their classroom in May – New York Giant’s linebacker and long snapper, Zak DeOssie. Miss Connolly and Zak, both graduates of Brown University, have been friends for years and she knows how restless he can get during the off-season. An afternoon with her class was a fun and energized event that her students will never forget.

Jericho Little League News

The Jericho Blues took first place in the NL division of the Jericho Little League’s third/fourth-grade playoffs with a decisive 9-2 victory over the # 3 seed, the Jericho Orange. The game was played at Jericho High School in front of a vocal and supportive crowd.

The first place finish was truly a team effort. In addition to the regular season schedule against other Jericho teams, the Jericho Blues won games against Syosset and Westbury. They played as a team, won as a team, and every child played a role.

Syosset Baseball Association Crowns 2009 Intramural Champs

Despite the continued rain that plagued the spring in the New York area, the 2009 Syosset Baseball Association intramural season finally came to a close with Champions crowned in each of the 9-Senior League Divisions.

Thanks to the field maintenance team headed by board members Larry Meltzer and Bruce Ritter for their continued hard work and crew that they assembled to get all fields ready, willing and able to play in spite of Mother Nature’s rain deluge that we experienced and with everyone’s efforts working fields prior to games, all games were played to their conclusions and champions crowned.

Long Island Ducks Family Night Monday, August 31

Syosset Baseball Association would like to remind and welcome everyone to be a part of Long Island Ducks Family Night to be held at Citibank Park on Monday, Aug. 31 when the Long Island Ducks face the Somerset Patriots.

Feit’s Simply Perfect

Syosset Baseball Association is pleased to announce that 11-year-old Brandon Feit pitched a perfect game on Saturday, June 27.

The game, played at Syosset Woodbury Park, first-game of a double header versus Oyster Bay, was the first game of the scheduled doubleheader managed by Tony Maracic.

Feit was virtually unhittable, striking out 16 of the 18 batters he faced in this 6-inning affair, won by Syosset 9-0.

Congratulations Brandon!