By Anthony Rifilato
"I think it's very important to keep everyone together," Ryan said.
More than 400 Baldwinites banded together last Friday for a good cause at the second annual Community Leaders Charity Softball Game, raising more than $21,000 for the Baldwin Council Against Drug Abuse and the purchase of an antique-style street clock to be placed prominently in Baldwin.
"I think it's great for community spirit and a great event to raise money for BCADA and Baldwin," said Deborah Maniaci, who was on the committee that organized the event.
More than 100 local businesses sponsored the game at Baldwin Park, and money was also raised through raffles, souvenir sales, participants' entrance fees and a silent auction.
In addition to live music performed by the G-String Band, refreshments, and the Great Wandini, who made balloon animals for the kids, there were also a number of non-profit organizations at the event, such as the Police Activities League, The Good Neighbor Network and the Baldwin Auxiliary Police, among others.
"This is probably one of the best events you can hold for the kids and the community," said PAL president Bob Cuccio, who was giving away T-shirts and other PAL apparel.
The evening began with a children's game, followed by the opening ceremonies, which featured town and county officials. Last year the opening pitch was thrown out by relatives of Sept. 11 victims, and this year the event honored the men and women of the U.S. armed services.
"I never thought I'd be playing ball now," joked Baldwin resident Henry Wobbe, a Korean War veteran who, along with Herm Saunders, a WWII veteran and former prisoner of war, threw out the first pitch.
The opening ceremony also featured a color guard provided by the U.S. Coast Guard, as well as performers from the Nassau Dance Center, and the singing of the national anthem by Baldwin resident Barbara Owens.
New York Yankees announcer Bob Sheppard read a pre-recorded lineup, and Baldwin resident Elizabeth Eckhardt sang "God Bless America" during the fifth-inning stretch.
After the event, Kevin Kamen, the event chairman, said he hopes the softball game becomes an institution in Baldwin and continues to benefit the community in the future. "It is my hope that this event, which is all about Baldwin, will take place every September," he said.
