Project Main Street 7th Annual Roosevelt Island Tim Sheehy Softball Classic To Support Individuals And Families Battling ALS Lou Gehrig's Disease Taking Place Saturday May 6 At Capobianco Field - Fundraising Gala Thursday May 4 With Live Performance By Roosevelt Islander Grandmaster Dee

This week is the annual Project Main Street Tim Sheehy Fundraising Gala

and Softball Classic at  Roosevelt Island's Capobianco Field  

to support individuals and families battling ALS Lou Gehrig's disease.

According to Project Main Street:  

Our mission is to improve the quality of life for those afflicted with ALS by providing direct financial assistance. We are the only non-profit, all-volunteer organization that provides direct financial assistance to people struggling with ALS. We have proudly raised over 2 million dollars since 2006! It is annual fundraising events like these, the Project Main Street Gala and the Tim Sheehy Softball Classic, that help us achieve such goals! 

Gala: Thursday May 4th @ The Prince George Ballroom 6pm-11pm

Tim Sheehy Softball Classic: Saturday May 6th @ Capabianco Field 9am - 5pm.

Here are links to purchase Gala tickets, directions on how to participate & donate to the Tim Sheehy Softball Classic and to become a Sponsor. 

Between games at the 2021 Softball Classic, founding Project Main Street Board Member Michael Rosen welcomed everybody coming out to support Project Main Street and spoke about his Roosevelt Island friend Tim Sheehy. According to Mr Rosen:

I want to thank everybody for coming out to the Tim Sheehy Classic to benefit Project Main Street.

Project Main Street as most of you know is an ALS charity. We support people living with ALS.

We were founded by Tim Sheehy, a childhood friend of most of ours, a long time Roosevelt Island resident who cared about helping other people at a time when nobody would have felt bad if he was just thinking about himself.

But when Tim was diagnosed with ALS he was concerned with helping other people with ALS even after he was gone. He put together Project Main Street.

The connection to Roosevelt Island is obvious. Most of the founders and the people that have worked on Project Main Street are from Roosevelt Island. The name itself is dedicated to Roosevelt Island. This is a Roosevelt Island-born charity that has helped people since 2006 across the country.

Together this small volunteer organization that Tim Sheehy conceived in his mind has raised over 1.5 million dollars for people.  So today we're talking about Project Main Street. We're talking about ALS. 

We're also talking about Roosevelt Island because this is what makes this event so special to us. To come out here on the field that we used to play on when we were kids. To see all of our old friends together not just getting together but getting together to do something good for society is so meaningful to us and to have all the new friends that come here that are not from Roosevelt  Island but have joined this family and become part of the Roosevelt Island Project Main Street family. 

We thank you....

And some scenes from the game.

Chicago Cubs play by play announcer Jon "Boog" Sciambi grew up with Tim Sheehy on Roosevelt Island. Mr Sciambi talks about his friend Tim Sheehy and Project Main Street in this June 2021 interview.

If you would like to make a donation or seek more information, please visit the Project Main Street website or Instagram Page.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Project Main Street (@projectmainst)

Project Main Street 6th Annual Roosevelt Island Tim Sheehy Softball Classic To Benefit Individuals And Families Battling ALS Lou Gehrig's Disease Taking Place Sunday October 17 At Capobianco Field

The 6th annual Project Main Street Tim Sheehy Softball Classic to benefit individuals and families battling ALS Lou Gehrig's disease is taking place tomorrow, October 17 at Roosevelt Island's Capobianco Field.

This Sunday in NYC, help those living with ALS via https://t.co/hNJmfFdzeX ANYTHING HELPS, all $$ goes to those living with ALS pic.twitter.com/DdkYsTk52B

— ProjectMainst (@PMS4ALS) October 12, 2021

According to Project Main Street:

Our Softball event is coming up for @PMS4ALS on October 17…all $$ goes to those living with ALS. Fundraising for Project Main Street https://t.co/86YFKiUWBu

— Jon Sciambi (@BoogSciambi) October 11, 2021

Chicago Cub play by play announcer Jon "Boog" Sciambi grew up with Tim Sheehy on Roosevelt Island. Mr Sciambi talks about his friend Tim Sheehy and Project Main Street in this June 2021 inteview.

If you would like to make a donation or seek more information, please visit the Project Main Street website.

Feel Good Story About Young Girl's Journey From Roosevelt Island RIYP Ball Fields To Hitting Home Run In Her Last High School Career At Bat During Championship Softball Game And Now On To College

Roosevelt Island resident Frantz Enama reports:

I was speaking to a friend, a fellow Islander, a few weeks ago whose kids were playing in the Roosevelt Island minor baseball youth league held on Saturdays. The conversation brought back memories of past years of Roosevelt Island kids playing baseball on Capobianco field.

I have a Roosevelt Island feel good story about a young girl's journey from the Island's baseball fields to last month's NYC Girls Catholic High School softball championship  game.

The story highlights the old Roosevelt Island Youth Program days as well as the volunteer coaches who inspired this young girl's journey from Capabianco field to hitting a 265 ft home run in her final at-bat in the city championship softball game.

Roosevelt Island resident, Gillian Katoanga, finished off her high school softball career in dramatic style in a heartbreaking loss during the NYC Girls Catholic High School Athletic Association  championship final on June 15.

With the Archbishop Molloy Stanners down by 3 runs in the bottom of the final 7th inning against Staten Island's Moore Catholic Mavericks, Gillian hit a 265-foot home run 

 out of the Roccio Torres sporting complex in what would be her final at bat for the Stanners. 

This sparked a rally that saw the Stanners load the bases with a chance to win the championship. Sadly, for the Stanners, Maverick pitching prevailed and the rally ended with the bases loaded. The 11-9 loss capped off an undefeated (12-0) league and overall 18-5 season for the Stanners.

It was also the end of a wonderful softball journey that started on the baseball fields of Roosevelt Island. Some residents will be familiar with Gillian and her brothers, who grew up playing in various little and youth baseball leagues on Roosevelt Island. 

Early mornings on most weekends, you could catch her hitting softballs at the various fields on the island. Her favorite field is Tony Capobianco, where she first played T-ball on the island twelve years ago. She credits her keen interest in softball to those early years of RI baseball and her coaches, including Coach (T-Ball) Tommy, 

Johan Marfey, and Scott Bobo.

Gillie, as she is better known to her teammates, is grateful for the great friendships that she formed over the years in the various school and travel softball teams. However, those early years playing on the Roosevelt Island fields with her siblings and having the community come out on those summer afternoons are the most memorable. 

The Roosevelt Island Youth Program (RIYP) sports leagues and events organized by Charlie Delfino and Andrey Chichagov were the highlight of the island summers. She recalls fondly, "playing summer baseball on Roosevelt Island with the families cheering us on, was so much fun. It brought the community closer together and we got to know our neighbors and make many new friends. It was always loud and some games were competitive and exciting". "I also looked forward to pizza or treats at Main Street Sweets after our games". She hopes that the island's latest generation of little league kids are having as much fun and that sports will have a positive impact on them as well. 

With her high school softball career now over, 

Gillian is headed to St. John's University in the Fall where she has been awarded a four-year academic scholarship in the university's biomedical science honors program. As for softball? With her heavy academic load, she's never seriously considered collegiate sport. But that could change, you never know. 

I have coached or supervised Gillian since she was 5 years old in various RIYP activities. Apart from the RIYP activities, she was part of the RI Pacific Island community that organized the Friday night volleyball games and also the summer rugby clinics. She and her brothers attended PS 217, and the family are also active members of the St. Francis Xavier Cabrini parish on the island. She credits her love of softball, and sports, to those early days of playing on Roosevelt Island.

Have a great summer everyone!

Aaron Boone Visits Roosevelt Island Last Spring, Aaron Boone Named NY Yankee Manager Yesterday - The Magic Of Roosevelt Island?

Last spring, Aaron Boone was one of the former Major League Baseball players participating in the The Third Annual Project Main Street Tim Sheehy Softball Classic to benefit people with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) held at Roosevelt Island's Capobianco and Firefighters Field

I spotted him walking on Main Street looking a little bit lost but in good spirits and he kindly gave a thumbs up.

Yesterday, Aaron Boone was introduced as the next manager of the NY Yankees.

"I want to be a part of putting together & chasing down a championship" - New York Yankees Manager, @AaronBoone pic.twitter.com/qNlvXqEXEq

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) December 6, 2017

No Yankee fan will ever forget this moment.

Will we see more Aaron Boone magic with the @Yankees? pic.twitter.com/OOYkiZB3p3

— MLB (@MLB) December 4, 2017

Welcome to the Yankees Aaron Boone and come back to Roosevelt Island soon.

Project Main Street And Team Gleason Team Up For 3rd Annual Roosevelt Island Tim Sheehy Softball Tournament To Benefit People With Lou Gehrig's Disease Saturday May 20 - 10 Games, Home Run Derby, Former Major League Players And ESPN Personalities Attending

The Third Annual Project Main Street Tim Sheehy Softball Classic to benefit people with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) will be held at Roosevelt Island's Capobianco and Firefighters Field Saturday, May 20 from 9:45 AM - 5 PM.

This year,  Project Main Street has teamed up with Team Gleason for the May 20 Softball Tournament.


According to the Tim Sheehy Softball Tournament web site:

...The goal of this tournament is to raise money in the fight against ALS as inspired by Tim Sheehy. Tim fought a courageous battle against ALS before his death in 2007; and like Steve Gleason, he saw the need to help those living with ALS by providing care. He created a 501(c)3 - Project Main Street that raised more than $1 million dollars to this mission from 2006-2016. We are fortunate Project Main Street now continues this mission in a partnership with and for Team Gleason....

More information on how you can support a player or team in the Tim Sheehy Softball Tournament here.

Roosevelt Island resident Justin Towey reports:

Help me raise money for Team Gleason and Project Main St...Fight ALS!

Our Founder, Architect & Inspiration: Tim Sheehy

Project Main St, named after Roosevelt Island's Main Street, and its mission were conceived entirely by Tim Sheehy during his own courageous battle with ALS. Tim, who grew up on Roosevelt Island, never stopped working on Project Main St. and his desire to help others grew stronger, even as his illness progressed. On April 23, 2007 Tim Sheehy, 38, succumbed to ALS, but not before seeing his vision of a support system for families struggling with this debilitating neurological disease become a reality.

Tim will forever be loved and missed – it is in his honor that Project Main St. continues through a new strategic partnership with Team Gleason!

Mr. Towey adds:

... On Saturday we have 10 softball teams competing at both Fireman's field and Capobianco field throughout the day. We will have 2 former MLB players on each team and plan to have a home run derby of ex MLB players at approx 12:30....

Click here to help support Mr. Towey's efforts to raise funds for Team Gleason and Project Main Street.

Here's more on Tim Sheehy and Project Main Street from the 2016 Softball Tournament



and Team Gleason.

Project Main Street Tim Sheehy Softball Classic To Benefit People With ALS Disease Saturday July 25 At Roosevelt Island's Capobianco Field

The First Annual Project Main Street Tim Sheehy Softball Classic to benefit people with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) will be held at Roosevelt Island's Capobianco Field Saturday July 25 from 9 AM - 9 PM.

Image From Project Main Street

Project Main Street:

... strives to improve the quality of life for individuals afflicted with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and their families by lessening the financial burden associated with this dreadful disease.

Project Main St. at a glance:

• Issues grants directly to ALS patients in need
• Organizes unique Fundraising events that bring friends, families and neighbors together
• Eliminates red tape whenever possible
• Works with healthcare professionals to identify those in need

Project Main St, named after Roosevelt Island's Main Street, and its mission were conceived entirely by Tim Sheehy during his own courageous battle with ALS. Tim, who grew up on Roosevelt Island, never stopped working on Project Main St. and his desire to help others grew stronger, even as his illness progressed. On April 23, 2007 Tim Sheehy, 38, succumbed to ALS, but not before seeing his vision of a support system for families struggling with this debilitating neurological disease become a reality.
Tim will forever be loved and missed – it is in his honor that Project Main St. continues.

Please click here for more information on Project Main Street, to make a donation and if you or someone you know has ALS and needs help.

Here's more on the ALS disease and research progress.

Boys Of Summer Softball Spring Training At Roosevelt Island's Firefighters Field - Join The MeetUp Group For Pick Up Softball Games

It's March already and despite the cold and snow flurries yesterday afternoon, a few hearty souls had their own version of Softball Spring Training at Roosevelt Island's Firefighters Field.

You can be in Centerfield too



with the Roosevelt Island Adult Softball Meet Up group as long as the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) allows them to continue playing on Roosevelt Island fields.

Play ball!!!!

Are There Any Roosevelt Island Pick Up Soccer Games Played? If Not, Any Interest In Starting One?

 Playing Soccer On The Octagon Field at Night

Diego is a new resident of Roosevelt Island and is interested in playing Pick-Up Soccer games on Roosevelt Island. He comments in the What On Your Roosevelt Island Mind thread:

I am relatively new to the island and to NYC and am wondering if you have to pay for every activity under the sun! I find I get the most out of my workouts when I am concentrated on a sport of some sort rather than running. I'm originally from Connecticut where greenery is everywhere and hundreds of neglected and forgotten fields beg for people to use them. I understand in the city that space is precious and limited, but 15 guys and girls getting together several times a month to play soccer shouldn't cost anything! Does anyone know if there are free pick up games on Firefighter Field at anytime of the day , 7 days a week? Same thing for tennis ?! please help :) and feel free to join me in some competitive play!

Reported in October 2010 of attempts to organize Roosevelt Island Pick-Up Soccer games. Don't know if it is still going on but click here for potential contacts.

So, is anybody interested in Pick-Up Roosevelt Island soccer games? Remember in the Spring of 2010 another new Roosevelt Island resident, Jason, formed a Pick-Up Saturday morning Roosevelt Island Softball game and it is still going strong.

No reason why Roosevelt Island Soccer players can't do the same thing.

Softball Still Being Played On Roosevelt Island Saturdays At Firefighters Field - Boys and Girls Of Summer Still Playing In November, How About That

The 2011 Major League Baseball season is long gone but the Roosevelt Island Adult Softball Meetup Group at Firefighters Field keeps going on.

You Tube Video of Roosevelt Island Pick Up Softball

They are playing tomorrow too.

Here's how the softball game got started way back in the spring of 2010 through the efforts of one Roosevelt Island resident and the very first game. Great job Jason!

The Roosevelt Island Softball players may not get the cheers or money that Derek Jeter gets,

You Tube Video of Fans Cheering Jeter's 3000 Hit

but they sure look like they are having fun.

Roosevelt Island Adult Pick Up Softball Game Returns Saturday Morning at Firefighters Field - Also, Still Time For Kids To Sign Up For Roosevelt Island Youth Program Little League

Final Game Of 2010 Roosevelt Island Pick Up Softball Season At Firefighters Field

For the young at heart, the Roosevelt Island Adult Softball Pick Up game returns on Saturday mornings at Firefighters Field (when available)

 Image of Firefighters Field Softball Diamond from Roosevelt Island Adult Softball

and elsewhere on Roosevelt Island when Firefighters Field is not available. Check out the Meet Up page of the Roosevelt Island Softball Group for the latest information on game time and place as well as these previous posts from last year.

The Pick Up Softball game is for players of all skill levels. The only requirement is that you want to have some early morning fun playing softball.

For the actual young in body, there's still time for you kids to sign up for the Roosevelt Island Youth Program Little League.

For more information, click on the image to enlarge.

Opening Day For New York Yankees and Major League Baseball - You Have Been Missed - Let's Go Yankees!

2011 MLB Opening Day || Stormy Weather from Bluefoot Entertainment, Inc. on Vimeo.

The weather is cold and dreary today but it does not matter because today is opening day for Major League Baseball. The Yankees are playing the Tigers this afternoon at the Stadium.

Let's Go Yankees!!!

For the future Major League Baseball players and fans, there's still time for you kids to sign up for the Roosevelt Island Youth Program Little League.

For more information, click on the image to enlarge.

UPDATE 4/1 - For the young at heart, the Roosevelt Island Adult Softball Pick Up game is back on Saturday mornings at Firefighters Field (when available) and elsewhere on Roosevelt Island when Firefighters Field is not available. Check out the Meet Up page of the Roosevelt Island Softball Group for the latest information on game time and place as well as these previous posts from last year.

Roosevelt Island Field Of Dreams Softball Pick Up MeetUp Group Ends it's 2010 Season - Looking Forward To Next Year's Softball Season

Final Game Of 2010 Roosevelt Island Pick Up Softball Season At Firefighters Field

Did you think that the baseball season ended several weeks ago when the Giants beat the Rangers in the World Series? Well, for some it did, but not the dedicated players from the Roosevelt Island Pick Up Softball Meetup Group who continued to play Saturday mornings at Firefighters Field into the month of November.

Final Game Of 2010 Roosevelt Island Pick Up Softball Season At Firefighters Field

But, as the weather starts to get colder, all good things must come to an end. That includes the 2010 Roosevelt Island Pick Up Softball season as these intrepid softballers played their last game of the year yesterday morning.

The pitchers made their last pitch

Final Game Of 2010 Roosevelt Island Pick Up Softball Season At Firefighters Field

hitters got in their final swings

Final Game Of 2010 Roosevelt Island Pick Up Softball Season At Firefighters Field

baserunners were getting ready to go from first to third for the last time

Final Game Of 2010 Roosevelt Island Pick Up Softball Season At Firefighters Field

and fielders were prepared to make that one last great catch.

Final Game Of 2010 Roosevelt Island Pick Up Softball Season At Firefighters Field

Winter will soon arrive then spring will follow and hopefully, the Roosevelt Island Pick Up Softball MeetUp Group will return for the 2011 season. You can follow future announcement from the Softball Meetup Group at their web site.

Great job by Jason in organizing and getting the group up and going.

Saturday Morning Pick Up Softball Group Soaked By Roosevelt Island Firefighter's Field Water Sprinklers - Problem Solved With Night Sprinklers

Image From Roosevelt Island Softball Meetup Group at Firefighter's Field

I received the following message last Monday from Jason, a Roosevelt Island resident and organizer of the Saturday morning Roosevelt Island Softball pick up game at Firefighter's Field:

We were playing softball on Saturday, as usual. At 9:00 AM, one East-West row sprinklers were running, on the far side of the field from the diamond. Usually, we can share the Firefighters Field with soccer players but they were pushed too close to us in the earlier morning by the sprinklers so we got to a late start. Every so often (15-20 minutes?), the sprinklers switched to a closer row. By 10:15, shallow right field was being sprayed. By 10:45, mid-game, the infield was under assault.

I saw a pair of RIOC red-shirts changing trash bags and I approached them. They told me that the sprinklers are now on a timer and will be on at the same time every week. They agreed that it is ridiculous to water the field at a time of day when the field is most likely to be used. They told me that they could do nothing because the sprinklers are controlled by "Maintenance" and that this department doesn't work on weekends so there was nobody to call for an immediate resolution.

... I hope that the quick and easy-to-implement solution is for RIOC to change the timer. I'm no expert but what's wrong with the middle of the night?

(Note: The times are not precise).

I passed Jason's request to change the Firefighter's Field automatic sprinkler time to Roosevelt Island Operating Corp. (RIOC) Vice President of Operations Fernando Martinez. Mr. Martinez indicated that he would look into the matter with RIOC's Maintenance Department and reported back:

Firefighter's Field has 14 zones. Each zone is on for about 15 to 30 minutes. Basically, it will take 3.5 to 7 hours to water the entire field. We have adjusted the timer to start at mid-night in order to complete the watering of the field by no later than 7am.

I checked back with the Softball group this past Saturday and learned that the sprinklers did not go off during their morning game.

Good job by RIOC, Mr. Martinez and RIOC's maintenance staff in responding quickly to a resident's problem and resolving it to everyone's satisfaction.

More information on the Roosevelt Island Saturday morning pick up game available at their Meetup Group site. Players of all skill levels are welcome.

Play In Roosevelt Island Pick Up Softball Game This Saturday Morning Firefighters Field - Have Some Early Morning Fun

Roosevelt Island Saturday Morning Pick Up Softball Game At Firefighters Field

All you Roosevelt Island softball players and wannabees out there at all variety of skill levels don't forget that the next Roosevelt Island Adult Softball Pick Up game is scheduled for Saturday Morning 9:30 AM at Firefighters Field. This is not a league but just a bunch of guys and gals that like playing softball and having some early Saturday morning fun with new and old friends.

So if you are interested come on out and PLAY BALL.

More information, including most recent status of the game is available at the Roosevelt Island Adult Softball Meetup Group.

UPDATE 9: 15 PM - From the Roosevelt Island Adult Softball MeetUp Group:

If you'd like to play, you are strongly encouraged to take a few
minutes to sign up and RSVP for free on the website so that others
will be more likely to come out to a larger game

Opening Day Of The Roosevelt Island Adult Softball Meetup Group Was Lots Of Fun - Come Join Us For Future Games

Corner of Firemen's Field

It was a Roosevelt Island Field of Dreams. There were about 16 players who showed up, some from Roosevelt Island the rest from other parts of NYC, who wanted to play in last Saturday's Opening Day of the Roosevelt Island Adult Pick-Up Softball Game. The weather was beautiful for the game played in the Northwestern corner of Firemen's Field because another group had arrived earlier and claimed the main portion of the field.


There were some pretty good players at the game hitting screaming line drives, deep shots over the outfielders heads and some slick fielding too. There were also some pop ups, dribblers and errors.

Unfortunately, none of the good plays were made by me. My one contribution was a mighty swing whiffing at the ball and then hitting a sick squibbler back to the pitcher which resulted in a throwing error allowing me to get to first base. The next batter hit a grounder and as I was going to second base I ran out of my shoes tumbling to the ground on the basepath. Very embarrassing!!!

At the end of the game, all agreed they had a very good time and would like to continue playing in the future as some lined up for the post-game photo -op and interview.


Another game is scheduled for next Saturday, May 1. According to the Roosevelt Island Adult Softball Meetup Group

Game 2

Saturday 9:30 AM

at Firefighters Field in New York, NY

Same as Game 1. Will probably be playing in the corner of Firefighters Field again. E-Mail will be sent if location changes. If attendance increases for Saturday morning games, we'll add another

If you are interested in playing this summer, come join the Roosevelt Island Adult Softball Meetup Group.

It was also great meeting people in person that I only knew online.

Below is a You Tube Video of a Monster Softball Home Run hit at Firemen's Field last Saturday but from another group, not ours.

Pick Up Adult Softball Games Coming To Roosevelt Island - Join The Meetup Group

Roosevelt Island Adult Softball Sign Up Flyer (Click To Enlarge)

In response to this post on What Happened To Roosevelt Island Adult Softball League, a reader and new resident (Jason) comments:

I managed a team for two seasons last year in Florida but not a whole "league." I "recruited" from my co-workers and their friends so it was a different situation.

I have looked into Zog but I thought it was too expensive and would have liked something that was confined to Roosevelt Island so there would be less travel.

I think that if there are enough people interested in playing and we can get a field reservation along with at least 15 players showing up at a given time, it could begin as something very informal and grow from there.

Jonathan, one of the Riverwalk Bar & Grill owners added:

We would be more than happy to have a sign up sheet here at Riverwalk Bar & Grill if that helps at all. Anyone interested can come in here to sign up and information can be passed either via phone call or email.
We have had a reasonable amount of requests by our customers for a pick up softball game.
Please feel free in getting in touch with us!

Jason stood up and took on this challenge by starting a Roosevelt Island Adult Softball Meetup Group:

RIRA President Frank Farance gauged interest in starting an Adult Softball League on Roosevelt Island. The result was "a handful of people that might be interested in playing, but no team leaders/managers willing to do the work of recruiting/organizing."

This meetup.com group is an attempt to start with something very informal that might grow into such a League.

If we can begin by getting 12 people to show up at a scheduled time, we would have enough to play something resembling a game (batter, 3 baserunners, 8 fielders). With success and referrals, we'd expect word to spread and more players to come.

We'd like to remain free (or nearly so) unlike some of the very expensive groups that play on Roosevelt Island. It would also be great to have a high percentage of local players for the sense of community.

At the moment, the goal is to get prospective players to join this group. Upon hitting a critical mass, we'll begin the process of choosing a date and reserving a field. Please join the group if you'd like to play and recruit your friends as well.

A first game is tentatively scheduled for this Saturday at Firemen's Field, depending on level of interest. If you are interested in participating in a Roosevelt Island Adult softball league/pick up game, check out the Meetup Group and sign up.

GREAT JOB JASON!

The Roosevelt Island Softball fields are in great shape. I have spoken to several of the Zog players recently who told me that the Roosevelt Island field are among the best in the City, including Central Park.

What Happened To Roosevelt Island Adult Softball League - Not Enough Interest So Far

Softball Game At Firmen's Field

What happened to the adult softball league for Roosevelt Island residents? A prior report from RIRA President Frank Farance described an attempt to organize an adult Roosevelt Island Softball League:

Adult Softball. We are trying again this year to have a league. I spoken with the Riverwalk Bar and Grill about having a kick-off meeting in February. I'll have more details in my next column.

A reader of Mr. Farance's report asks:

I never saw a follow-up on the softball. Did I miss it?

Unfortunately, there was not enough interest. Mr. Farance responds:

Looks like it's Zogs. We were never able to get enough interest in this to form a set of teams. In short, we have a handful of people that might be interested in playing, but no team leaders/managers willing to do the work of recruiting/organizing.

Anyone want to step up?

Corporate & Zog Softball Teams Return To Roosevelt Island Playing Fields - Review Pony Field, Then Relax With A Nitecap At Riverwalk Bar & Grill

View Larger Map

Opening day of the baseball season returns on Sunday night at Fenway Park with the Yankees playing the Red Sox. Great way to start off the season. On Roosevelt Island, like MLB and the Swallows to Capistrano, the corporate and Zog softball players have returned as well.

A softball player from Brooklyn had this to say about playing on Roosevelt Island's Pony Field according to a Yelp review:

... Pony Field is one of three softball/baseball fields on Roosevelt Island and the farthest to get to. Hoof it on foot through the Soviet-era Russia-esque buildings "downtown," or take the bus for .25 cents. I'm not sure about parking around the field, as I think most may be by permit only.

This field is pretty decent as far as fields go. It used to be one of the most run down (read: weeds) and neglected fields on the island, but within the past few years it has been resurrected. There are new dugouts for players and aluminum tiered benches for fans. The infield is a sandy-dirt mixture and the outfield is fairly even and maintained. There are also nearby bathrooms, which are, ah, best described as "meh."

One thing that RI has going for it are the spectacular NYC skyline views and sunsets....which, after taking in, makes the long F train ride back to Brooklyn pretty okay in my book....

I spoke with a Yahoo softball player the other night at the Riverwalk Bar & Grill who told me the same thing as the Yelp reviewer and added that the field was comparable to others he played on including those in Central Park.

Some of the softball players and others were relaxing after a game last night at the Riverwalk Bar & Grill outdoor seating area.

More on Roosevelt Island playing fields from RIOC.

RIRA President On Roosevelt Island Red Bus Routing, Tram Shutdown Transportation Problems, Next 10 Years, Robots For Kids & Adult Softball

You Tube Video of 2007 Manhattan Lego Robotics Championships

Roosevelt Island Residents Association President (RIRA) Frank Farance sends the following report to Roosevelt Island residents.

1. Routing of Buses and Main Street in Southtown area. As reported in the prior WIRE, RIOC Vice President of Operations Fernando Martinez discussed the potential rerouting at the previous RIRA meeting. This is a complex problem and RIRA's Planning Committee (Matt Katz, Chair) and Island Services Committee (Aaron Hamburger, Chair) are investigating the problems and potential solutions. More on this soon.

2. Transportation Problems with Tram Shutdown. Matt Katz, RIRA's Planning Committee Chair, has sent a letter to the MTA complaining about their ignoring our problems. I am following up with my own letter that addresses technical problems with the MTA's analysis. We are considering everything from coordinating action with other communities along the F line to filing an Article 78 on the MTA. We are concerned that once the tram shuts down, the congestion at the Roosevelt Island will be so severe that F trains will be delayed, which clogs the whole F line — not merely a delay for Roosevelt Island residents. We are working with the elected officials (Lappin, Kellner, Serrano, Stringer, Maloney) to add pressure to the MTA to resolve these concerns.

3. The Next 10 Years? The WIRE's editor Dick Lutz asks for our ideas. Transportation infrastructure and adequate RIOC financing are the Island's main concerns. Without transportation infrastructure, housing is less attractive; meanwhile RIOC's finances are overly dependent on new Southtown construction. So using the creative technique "instead trying to make it better, how do you make it worse?", I think leveling the Goldwater Hospital and building 5000 units of housing will really make things worse. Or will it? If we think about transforming Roosevelt Island to a transportation hub — a Hoboken of the East River — then we might be eligible to receive billions of transportation dollars to improve our transportation infrastructure because Roosevelt Island transportation would now provide a regional benefit, not merely a local benefit. For example, the 53 Street and 60 Street lines could be hollowed out into subway stations and connected as a transfer point; ferry service would be much more attractive with higher numbers of passengers; and an underground moving walkway, for the length of the Island, would shuttle the new passengers (just like O'Hare airport). In summary, to address our weaknesses (transportation, long-term RIOC finances), we market ourselves as a transportation hub (which betters our weaknesses). OK, this isn't a 10-year plan, but a 20-40 year plan.

4. Robots for Kids 6-13 Years Old. Last year, we had a great team of children who learned about and built robots (based upon Lego Mindstorms NXT), and they competed well in a City-wide competition. With the help of the Roosevelt Island Youth Program and the PS/IS 217 Beacon Program, we are continuing again this year with a longer/larger program. Brian Dorfmann and I are the mentors/coaches. The cost is free. We meet once a week 6:30 - 8PM at RIYP's second floor at 506 Main Street. We might expand to two days a week. Both boys and girls enjoy this, they enjoy socializing with children different than their own age, and it is a rewarding experience in many ways and at many levels. Pizza is served for kids.

5. Adult Softball. We are trying again this year to have a league. I spoken with the Riverwalk Bar and Grill about having a kick-off meeting in February. I'll have more details in my next column.

6. Upcoming RIRA meetings. The next Common Council meetings are February 3 and March 3 at 8PM in the church lower floor. Former RIRA President Steve Marcus is chairing the Public Purpose Grant committee, which is reviewing the seven applications received from RIOC. The meetings are open to the public; come to the February 3 RIRA meeting to hear Steve's status report. The next RIRA Town Hall meeting (for reviewing the RIOC Board agenda) is February 10 at 8PM in the church upper floor. These town meetings are very informative — come listen and ask your own questions.

The RIRA President's message is also published as the RIRA column in the 1/30/10 Main Street WIRE.

Report From RIRA President On RIOC Board Nominations, Red Bus Schedule, Blackwell Park Input, Blood Drive & Pick Up Softball

Image From March RIRA Meeting

RIRA President Frank Farance sends the following report to Roosevelt Island residents. Mr. Farance addresses issues on the RIOC Board Nominations, Red Bus Schedule, Blackwell Park Resident Input, Blood Drive and Adult Pick - Up Softball games.

1. RIOC Board Nominee Elections. Congratulations to Margie Smith and Mark Shinozaki in the elections. Thank you to Lee Edelman and Tammy Jackson for participating in the election process.

2. Progress on RIOC-RIRA collaboration on red bus schedule. Because of some scheduling anomalies during the week of May 22, we decided to postpone the red bus schedule experiment to the week of June 1. In short, this experiment only applies to the segment #2: late morning, approximately, 9:50 to noon. Although the initial schedule for the Octagon local is for buses to leave at 9:55, 10:10, 10:25, 10:40, 10:55, 11:10, and 11:25, I recommend that you arrive 5 minutes early during this experiment. The goal of this experiment is to see if we can have a reliable bus schedule that also meets the tram departure.

3. RIOC wants your input on the new Blackwell park. RIOC architects to hear from residents on Blackwell Park at RIRA June 17 Town Hall meeting. The RIOC is developing a master plan for the new park and it would like to identify the stakeholders of the park. More to come on this meeting.

4. RIRA Blood Drive on June 6, Roosevelt Island Day. RIRA volunteers will be at the green market on Saturdays, so please sign up!

5. Adult Softball: Unfortunately, given the low turnout, this year looks like it will be informal, pick-up games. Hopefully, we'll still have fun on Sunday mornings at Capobianco field. With Nonno's new sports bar, maybe we'll have a watering hole to better organize.

The RIRA President's message was also published as the RIRA column in the 5/30/09 Main Street WIRE (PDF File).