Syosset Baseball Association held it's annual Awards Dinner at the Crest Hollow Country Club on Monday November 6, culminating the 2006 season of youth baseball in Syosset with our Intramural, Spring and Fall seasons.

Over 500 players and accompanied parents enjoyed the evening's events with featured guest speaker, 1986 World Series Champion pitcher and current New York Mets Broadcaster, Ron Darling. Ron arrived on stage and addressed the group on his youth as a ballplayer, his current position as broadcaster as well as father of 2 children, one currently playing 12-year-old baseball as a shortstop. He then proceeded to take the stage as the "WSBA Broadcaster." Once the guest was announced, each table had paper and pens available for the kids to write down their "call-in" question to Ron. With each question, was a designation of the child's name, age, position they play and where they were calling in from (their sponsor's name). A microphone was then brought over to the call in's table for the player to personally ask Ron, his question.

Ron was very gracious to answer all questions asked of him and acknowledged the level of questions and the thought that many of the kids put into the questions they asked. Upon the end of the call-in session, each player had been given a ticket, which entitled them to a signed 8 X 10 color photo of Ron Darling (fully extended about to release one of his pitches during his playing career). Ron was accommodating afterwards to sign additional autographs and take photos with anyone who asked.

The evening continued with the traditional award of trophies for the Major League Division through 9 Year Old Intramural teams, places first through fourth as well as the Championship in each Division. Furthermore, the Summer and Fall travel teams were acknowledged with participation trophies and special acknowledgement to our 11 Yar Old "A" Summer travel team that won the NJBL Championship, our 15-16 Year Old Nassau County Championship/ Babe Ruth team, and our 17-18 Nassau County Championship/ Babe Ruth team.

On each table was a complimentary copy of the Syosset Advance as well as The Syosset-Jericho Tribune, which featured an article and pictures of the Year in Review recapping our 2006 year for each seated attendee to read and take home with them.

The raffles generated a lot of excitement with special recognition for donations from The New York Yankees with a signed Johnny Damon photo, The New York Mets with a pair of tickets to an upcoming 2007 game, Syosset Advance with a Charlie Hayes 1996 World Series signed baseball, Syosset/ Jericho Tribune with a signed Joe Pepitone baseball, The Long Island Ducks with a signed 2006 program, signed by Bud Harrelson, a signed Long Island Ducks logo baseball by pitcher Kevin Tovar, and a basket of cheer including foam web foot, golf towel, water bottle.

Last Licks of Huntington, Long Island, a Division of Steiner Sports, provided the guests with a grand array of memorabilia to bid on in a silent auction featuring a black and white photo of Yogi Berra/ Babe Ruth, signed game used equipment, hockey, football, basketball and baseball memorabilia.

The evening ended with all trophies given out, all raffles given out, all final bids for the memorabilia paid and every kid taking home the Ron Darling photo and a fun time had by all.

It's now time to turn to our 2007 season as on-line registration is currently going on. Registration can also take place through the mail and our post office box in Syosset.

Syosset Baseball Association's website for events and information as well as registration is www.syossetbaseball.org.