The boys of summer

Senior softball players teach Baldwin kids fundamentals

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Although they were born six to seven decades apart, the men from the Bristal All-Stars, of the Long Island Senior Softball Association, and kids from the Baldwin Summer Program hit it off at an instructional practice on July 16.

The seniors, who are in their 70s and 80s, taught a group of Baldwin campers the fundamentals of baseball and softball at Baldwin Park. Though it had rained heavily the day before and the skies were cloudy that morning, the event was a success, as evidenced by the smiles all around.

“What I enjoy the most is watching the expressions, not only on the kids’ faces, but on the seniors,” said Joe Friedman, the 78-year-old commissioner of the LISSA’s, 70-plus division. “They’re getting a tremendous kick out of it.” Friedman, of Oceanside, who has been the league’s commissioner for the past eight years, said he always enjoys interacting with kids to help teach the game he loves.

Gavin Reid, 6, who is heading into second grade at Lenox Elementary School, said he was having fun taking some swings. Dylan Steward, 13, a Baldwin Summer Program counselor in training, was working on his fundamentals at first base. “It’s been really interesting and fun,” said Steward, who’s heading into eighth grade at Baldwin Middle School, “because I’m learning stuff I never knew before.”

Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray threw out the ceremonial first pitch to get the event under way. “It’s always a great thing when the different generations come together,” Murray said. “It’s a valuable moment for both groups.” She added that she was very impressed that the seniors have remained so active.

One of those seniors, Pete Zaccaria, 84, of Point Lookout, manages the LISSA’s Cardinals team. Zaccaria said he had to put himself on the disabled list for this season after undergoing surgery, but plans to be back on the diamond next season.

There are currently seven teams in the league, which are sponsored by the Bristal Assisted Living Communities and play doubleheaders twice a week from May to September. Zaccaria and Friedman said it’s something they look forward to during the week and in the off-season. “We hate to get rained out,” Friedman said.

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