Syosset Baseball Association held its annual All-Star games and barbecue with beautiful blue skies and warm 80-degree temperatures on Saturday, May 28 at Syosset Woodbury Community Park.

The day's festivities kicked off at 8:45 a.m. with Councilman and new proud father, Chris Coschignano, helping in the Pledge of Allegiance followed by the first ball throw for the 8-year-old division games.

All games for the day were played in honor of the late Brian Murphy, who had played baseball in the Syosset Baseball Association organization. Additionally, all divisions enjoyed two games allowing 48 players from the respective divisions to participate in this exciting event.

In the 8-year-old division, one game pitted Concannon/Scarangella against Joyce/Burg and Mitchnick. Joyce/Burg Mitchnick prevailed in this nail-biter 4 to 2 with Jonathan Klobus knocking in two runs in the fourth inning. Alex Storch closed out the game, forcing the opposing batter to ground out to third base with the tying runs on. The other game, managed by Kim Ott, featured 8-year-old All-Star Rachel Greenspan, marking in recent memory a participating girl making her presence known on the field to receive the honor of invitation at the All-Star game.

The games were then followed by the 10-year-old division games. The National Anthem for this game was sung by fifth-graders from the AP Willits chorus, Olivia Greco, Jillian Mergruen, Tiffany Solorzano and Lauren Cohen. In one game, Howie Winston's team defeated Jeff Tannen's team, 8-3. Troy Scocca provided the highlights from this game capturing MVP honors for Winston's team, smacking a double and triple and pitching a scoreless inning on the way to victory. Jon Zelin captured MVP honors for Tannen's team, pitching three great innings. The Lou Lagalante/Mark Schlessinger team defeated Buddy Rosenblatt's 6 to 5 in this tight-fought match. James Schlessinger had three hits, including the double that set up the winning run in the bottom of the sixth inning. Lagalante/Schlessinger had taken the early lead, 3-0, in the game. Key hits by Zach Greenspan and Josh Kolodny tied the score setting up this exciting finish. Schlessinger was awarded the game ball for his outstanding contribution to the win.

The AAA division games played featured managers President Rob Jolson against Vice President of Operations Jerry Wolkis. The National Anthem for this game was sung by Sara Ross. This tight game was won by Wolkis 3 to 1. This game recognition to another former Syosset Baseball Association player, Andy Friedman, who had the unfortunate passing during the September 11, 2001 attack. The MVP award was given for an outstanding performance in this game to Tyler Moritz. In honor of Andy, the first ball pitch honor for this game was given to his mother and brothers, each wearing a baseball hat with "Andy's Team" on the bill from his playing days in Syosset.

The other AAA game featured Richie Happel's team vs. Jeff Sosna's team. The featured highlight from this game was Alex Contino's home run and capturing the MVP award. Happel's team prevailed 11 to 5.

The Major League Division games kicked off at 1:30 p.m. with the National Anthem sung by Erica Warfield and Ryan Peng, fifth-graders from the AP Willits chorus. First pitch honors, always extended to Deacon Murphy, who is the father for whom these games are in memory of, Brian Murphy. The featured Major League Division games featured a first inning over the scoreboard home run by Tyler Will and outstanding playing from Matt Dorritte and Scott Schwartz to capture MVP honors in this game, under the managing of Rick Krouner.

The Major League game between Harry Lewkowitz and Allen Rapfogel finished with a 5 to 4 Rapfogel win. Rapfogel's team was down by 2 heading into the sixth. The game-winning run was driven in by a single to right field from Steven Rapfogel.

Syosset Baseball Association's traditional barbecue, provided much-needed energy back into the players after a hard-fought game with plentiful hamburgers, hotdogs, drinks, munchies and watermelon (cut every year by our very own board member Bill Lewis).

On hand during the games from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. was a special guest, Quackerjack, the mascot for the Long Island Ducks, throwing out the ceremonial first pitch for the 10-year-old game and then enjoying mingling among the crowd around the park through his stay with them.

Tom Hopke, coordinator for the New York Mets Baseball Academy also was on hand to be a part of this special day for Syosset Baseball and its families. Tom handed out brochures for the upcoming New York Mets Baseball Academy Camp, scheduled to be held at our very own Syosset Woodbury Community Park Aug. 22 - 26 and Aug. 29 - Sept. 22. Tom answered questions from families not familiar with this program, who didn't have the opportunity to participate last year, as well as families of returning campers.

Syosset Baseball Association again will be sending a team to Cooperstown. This group of players throughout the day was selling candy and raffles to help raise money for their trip to this tournament.

The day ended somewhat abruptly, cutting the AAA game short with rain, however, a great day of fun, exciting baseball, food and a great effort put together by the board of Syosset Baseball Association, some of its family members and past board members, made for a great and memorable day.

Information on games and events can be found on the Syosset Baseball Association website www.syossetbaseball.org.