As the Syosset Baseball Association concludes a successful 2005 season and approaches their Nov. 7 annual awards dinner, it's time to reflect on the season and what we accomplished and our players enjoyed throughout the year.

The season started back in January with registration and moved into February with evaluations for the 9- 12-year-old divisions.

March brought the drafts for formulating teams for the April kickoff.

The season kicked off with a sunny 60-degree Saturday and carried into spring recess. The season picked up and continued into May with the traditional Memorial weekend All-Star games and picnic at Syosset Woodbury Community Park, attended by many dignitaries and Quakerjack, the Long Island Ducks mascot.

Playoffs started for the 9- 12-year-old divisions in mid June, concluding just before school ended. During this time, evaluations were held for the summer travel program.

Upon school ending, the summer travel program kicked in for the 8 to 12 year olds. Teams were fielded to provide competitive teams to go against the various leagues throughout the region and fun was had by all.

The 12-year-old group brought the top players together for a trip to Cooperstown to be a part of the Cooperstown tournament, and proudly represented Syosset Baseball Association with the championship being brought back to Syosset.

At the end of the summer the New York Mets Baseball Academy took their camp to Syosset Woodbury Park, attended by over 170 players and special guests Ed Kranepool and Lenny Randle.

At the start of the school year, the fall travel program kicked in, scheduled to conclude by the time of the annual awards dinner.

With that, the association enjoyed providing games, skills, education and fun for over 1,400 players throughout Syosset Baseball Association and the communities of Syosset and Woodbury.

The association would like to take this time to thank the endless hours that the volunteer board members dedicate to the league, the endless hours of volunteer time from all managers and coaches, the parents for helping get the children to the fields for practices and games and the sponsors for their support.

The annual awards dinner at the Crest Hollow Country Club this Monday evening, Nov. 7, culminates a great year together with awards for first through fourth place in leagues 9 - 12, travel awards for divisions 8 - 12 and a silent auction and special guest speaker to address the assembled group.

We look forward to everyone's attending our dinner and finishing off this successful year with a successful year end dinner. The dinner registration information has been previously mailed out and can be found on the website www.syossetbaseball.org.