Roosevelt Island Pickleball Grand Opening Today, RIOC President Thanks Residents For Their Advocacy And They Return The Thanks For Listening And Opening The 2 Outdoor Pickleball Courts - Watch Video Of The Ribbon Cutting And Play

Today was a good day for Roosevelt Island residents with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony marking the Grand Opening of 2 new Pickleball Courts next to the Sportspark recreational facility followed by the inaugural games being played. 

Vicki Feinmel and Lorraine Altman first advocated to Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Shelton Haynes last October to bring Pickleball to Roosevelt Island. I spoke to Ms Feinmel, Ms Altman, Joyce Short and Gloria Herman after their first Roosevelt Island Pickleball game today.

The Pickleball courts are free and open 7 days a week from sunrise to sunset. Ms Short notes that the Roosevelt Island Seniors Association (RISA) will have a beginners Pickleball program Tuesday and Thursday mornings for its members.

RIOC President Shelton Haynes reported during the Grand Opening Ceremony:

... So many things happen in the community because of advocacy from the residents. We appreciate that. We're listening. We're trying to make sure that we accommodate the best we can. This is one of the many accommodations you can see that we're actually moving forward, so thank you.

Ms Feinmel noted:

I'd like to thank Shelton and the RIOC board for our two new beautiful Pickleball courts 

Every time I saw Shelton either on the street or at a meeting I would bring up Pickleball. I nagged and nagged and nagged until it was a final go. We are thrilled the courts are open and ready to play even though it took a while, it was well worth the wait. again. I want to thank RIOC and of course I hope that we will be able to get courts for the Winter indoors.

And Ms Short added:

... Everybody knows I think that exercise is really crucial it's the Fountain of Youth and we particularly thank Shelton and the Board for standing behind the fitness and the health of all of our population...

Here's the full Roosevelt Island Pickleball Grand Opening Ceremony.

and the Roosevelt Island Pickleball Court rules.

The Sportspark recreational facility Grand Opening in next Friday May 19.

Pickleball Craze Is Coming To Roosevelt Island - After Request By Local Residents, RIOC Installs 2 Outdoor Pickleball Courts At Sportspark - Are 2 Courts Enough?

Roosevelt Island is joining the Pickleball Craze with 2 new outdoor courts installed by the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) in the area behind Sportspark that used to be a basketball court.

Vox explains Pickleball.

During the October 20, 2022 RIOC Board of Directors Meeting Public Session, Roosevelt Island residents Lorraine Altman

and Vicki Feinmel

 

advocated for Pickle Ball courts on Roosevelt Island.

Ms Altman noted that Ms Feinmel is a recent winner of a Pickleball tournament at a Manhattan court.

During the December 22, 2022 RIOC Board Meeting, RIOC General Counsel Gretchen Robinson announced Pickleball was coming to Roosevelt Island at the Sportspark outdoor court this coming spring. 

According to Ms Robinson:

We are bringing Pickleball to Roosevelt's Island as Mr Haynes previously mentioned. We have decided to dedicate the courts behind Sports Park to that effort and a formal announcement will go out soon but asphalt was laid and striping was completed this month. I believe the court will be completed and accessible in the early spring so that's really exciting.

 

Comments on Roosevelt Islander Instagram Pickleball post include:

• Awesome addition to the community!!
• Outdoor volleyball court should be next
• They are here, and there’s only two of them! And will Off-Islanders be able to use them? Cause we have 6 tennis courts that residents have a hard time accessing because Off-Islanders take over! I can’t play tennis at any other borough with out a permit, but Off-Islanders can just come here and take over our courts! Do you think two PB courts are going to be enough?

The subject of Roosevelt Island Pickleball was even discussed during an August 24, 2022 tour of Roosevelt Island with Mayor Adams and Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright.

Are you ready for Roosevelt Island Pickleball?

Congratulations To Roosevelt Island Resident Emily Engstler Selected Fourth In WNBA Draft Tonight - NYC Toughness Comes From Playing Hoops At The Blackwell Park Basketball Court

An emotional moment for @UofLWBB's Emily Engstler ❤️ @em__baller pic.twitter.com/FLVOuCuNHP

— ACC Network (@accnetwork) April 11, 2022

As reported last January:

In 2018, Roosevelt Island resident Emily Engstler was one of the top High School Basketball players in the county. Ms Engstler is now one of the top College Basketball players in the country playing at the University of Louisville and attributes much of her success to Roosevelt Island NY toughness. She even has a tattoo on her leg showing Blackwell Park where she started playing hoops on Roosevelt Island....

Emily Engstler of Louisville may be the best defender in the country!! Stats prove it. She explains why her New York toughness has helped her become who her coach calls “the best we have had since @angel_35 “ @UofLWBB @em__baller pic.twitter.com/jBJD7dPuWy

— Holly Rowe (@sportsiren) January 20, 2022

Congratulations Emily Engstler, Roosevelt Island is very proud of you.
UPDATE 4/12:

Here's @em__baller @UofLWBB who was picked 4th overall in the WNBA Draft by the Indiana Fever.... on being drafted in her home town.... and what Louisville meant to her. @WHAS11 pic.twitter.com/TKB3gj4538

— Kent Spencer (@WHAS11Kent) April 12, 2022

Congrats To Local Roosevelt Island Kid Jon "Boog" Sciambi Named TV Play By Play Announcer For Chicago Cubs - Hosts Annual Project Main Street Fundraising Softball Game For ALS Families At Capobianco Field In Memory Of His Roosevelt Island Friend Tim Sheehy

Congrats to local Roosevelt Island kid Jon "Boog" Sciambi being named the Chicago Cubs play by play TV announcer

Well, here we go...so excited for this!

— Jon Sciambi (@BoogSciambi) January 4, 2021

According to Marquee Sports Network press release:

Marquee Sports Network today announced the hiring of Jon “Boog” Sciambi as the Chicago Cubs television play-by-play announcer. Sciambi has served in numerous roles with ESPN since joining the network fulltime in 2010, most prominently as the voice of ESPN Sunday Night Baseball for MLB on ESPN Radio, and as the regular play-by-play voice on Wednesday Night Baseball telecasts for ESPN since 2014. ...

Boog Sciambi returns every year to Roosevelt Island for the annual Project Main Street ALS fundraising softball game at Capobianco Field in memory of his friend, Roosevelt Islander Tim Sheehy.

Tim Sheehy Classic. Roosevelt Island. @PMS4ALS pic.twitter.com/yXuHNQxrM1

— Jon Sciambi (@BoogSciambi) June 2, 2018

                    ESPN's Jessica Mendoza With Boog In Background At 2017 Roosevelt Island Project Main Street Softball Game

Sports Illustrated has more from 2018 on Jon Sciambi's work with Project Main St:

For those who grew up on Roosevelt Island, it was just like being back in Little League. 

They were playing ball with their friends at Tony Capobianco Field, the park they grew up playing at. They still talked to friends and family through the fence as they waited for their turn to bat. If they shanked a foul ball down the first base line, with some luck they could see the ball splash into the East River. The only difference was why they were there. 

The Fourth Annual Tim Sheehy Softball Classic was this past Saturday, and was the second half of a week of fundraising efforts by Project Main St. and Team Gleason. The two organizations seek to improve the quality of life for individuals living with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease....

and learn about Project Main Street's Roosevelt Island origins from this podcast interview with Jon Sciambi.

Congrats again to Roosevelt Islander Jon "Boog" Sciambi, 

boog is going to be absolutely fantastic in chicago pic.twitter.com/N6jOcNYKuu

— DOM (@DOM_Frederic) January 4, 2021

the new Chicago Cubs play by play TV announcer.

Roosevelt Island Youth Center 9 Week Spring Soccer Season At Firefighters Field & Sportspark Gym Starts Saturday April 29 - Boys And Girls 9 To !8, Residents And Non Residents Encouraged To Register By April 22 Deadline Says RIOC

The Roosevelt Island Youth Center Spring Soccer Season begins Saturday April 19. Registration is now open

According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):

Registration is now open for Roosevelt Island's nine-week Spring youth soccer program, sponsored by the Roosevelt Island Youth Center.

The program is open to both residents and non-residents of Roosevelt Island. Boys and girls ages 5-18 are encouraged to sign-up by the April 22nd deadline.

The free program will run every Saturday from April 27th through June 29th. The program will take place at two locations: ages 9-18 will play at Firefighter’s Field between 9 AM – 12:30 PM and Ages 5-8 will play inside the Sportspark gymnasium between 1:30 PM – 5 PM. A detailed schedule will be released after the close of registration.

The program will provide varied workshop sessions of skills, drills, and scrimmages. Please note that space is limited. Registration is first come, first serve.

Click here to sign-up by Monday, April 22nd.

For any questions, please call 212-832-4559.

Don't know why the 5-8 year olds have to play soccer indoors at Sportspark Gym instead of outside at Firefighters Field or why the older kids have to be off the field by 12:30. Hopefully, it's not because the field is being permitted to Zog or other similar outside groups.

Image From RIRA PETITION TO SAVE OUR PLAYING FIELDS

Will find out. Stay tuned.

UPDATE 4/18 - According to a RIOC spokesperson:

The plan to keep Firefighters Field permit-free on Saturday’s remains. Having the younger kids (5-8) at Sportspark was intentional, providing more focused skill development and a better understanding of the game. The spring soccer schedule will also allow for more play time on Firefighters field for the community.

Roosevelt Island Octagon Soccer Field Renovations Delayed At Least Thru Fall 2019 Says RIOC- Community Seek Greater Access To Ball Fields For Local Kids and Residents, Limit Permitting To Off Island Groups

In August 2018, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) abruptly closed down the Octagon Soccer Field announcing:

Deteriorating turf conditions at the Octagon Sports Field have forced its closure, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation announced today.

The field, which is located on the northern part of the Island, is an outdoor soccer field, used by the community daily and is one of the most popular fields on Roosevelt Island. It is used from March to mid-November, for activities including soccer, football, lacrosse, and rugby.

Existing permit holders including several adult sports leagues that held paid reservations-at $175 per hour- are being contacted and will be given refunds, RIOC said.

Due to numerous unsafe snags, rips and tears on its turf, RIOC plans to repair and redevelop the field as well as all surrounding fixtures and facilities, including comfort stations, seating, security features, and lighting design.

This major renovation will begin in the Fall of 2018....

As of February 2019, the Octagon Soccer Field renovations have not begun.

RIOC reported on February 1:

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation announced several new field usage policies today to provide more options for outdoor play while the Octagon Field is under renovation.

RIOC policy changes:

All permitting on Firefighter’s Field, excluding RIOC programming, will be suspended on Fridays and Saturdays, allowing open play until the Octagon Field renovation is complete;

Island residents will be surveyed to seek new community usage policies for the renovated Octagon Field.

Capobianco Field will be opened to permitted requests to alleviate overuse of Firefighter’s Field.

“We understand that the closing of Octagon is a serious inconvenience to young soccer players, their teams, and parents,” said Susan Rosenthal, CEO and president of RIOC. “We’re announcing these updated policies today to let the community know we’re listening, we’ve heard you, and we’re working to accommodate your requests.”

Octagon Field was closed last summer due to safety and liability concerns about the deteriorating field conditions. A full-scale renovation is underway, which will include new turf, bleachers, and a new comfort station.

While the pre-construction phases for the Octagon renovation project began in June 2018, due to unforeseen delays, the field work is now expected to be complete in Fall 2019. Once field work is complete, the Octagon will be re-opened for public use while the adjacent work on the bleachers and comfort station are completed.

RIOC did not say what are the "unforeseen delays" in renovation of the Octagon Soccer Field.

Roosevelt Island parent Miguel Pincay expresses the opinions of many who use the Octagon Soccer Field and other Roosevelt Island ball fields:

The condition of the Firefighters field is now worse than the Octagon Turf field.

The Sunday football league is the reason why the field was unusable after just a couple of weekends.

The community knew that and made it known to RIOC, yet, the Sunday Football league must go on.

The Cappobianco field sits on a slant and it doesn’t drain well. The Pony field has even worse drainage issues.

Still, RIOC wonders why the community is frustrated and fed up.

According to RI Fields For RI Residents Facebook Page

For those who don't already know the issue is this....

Roosevelt Island has an abundance of playing fields and yet because of RIOC’s permitting policies the reality is we, the residents, have limited access to them for open play and pick-up games. Organized teams and groups (mostly from off-Island) are prioritized over our children’s right to play spontaneously in their own backyard. Our property tax helps pay for these fields!

Capobianco Field which was a dedicated open play field will now be permitted out because of Octagon Field’s closure.

Capobianco and Pony Fields will be permitted out every day of the week.

Firefighter’s Field will be permitted out Mon-Thurs and Sunday.

Firefighter’s Field will be reserved for RIOC’s youth soccer program every Saturday starting in the spring.

Octagon Field is closed until Fall 2019 earliest and after that we expect RIOC will want to heavily permit it out

This means that the only time for open play for our kids and our community is Friday at Firefighters Field -- but because of school/work, that really means Friday afternoon/evenings at Firefighter's Field is the only time we can reliably count on having access to a field for open play.

What we want:

Limited permitting for non-RI sports groups. Permitting when children are less likely to use field (after 8pm, and during school hours).

Dedicated open play hours for residents (permits not required to use fields during these times) on weekends during the day and after school, for example.

Organized RI youth teams that are not part of RIOC’s youth programming should have equal access to fields for permitted practices and games.

Improved field maintenance and implementation of rules that will help keep fields in better condition (for example, an enforced policy that flag football cleats are not permitted on fields as they cause damage making them unsafe).

Stay tuned for more.

UPDATE 10:15 PM - During this eventing's Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Common Council Meeting Public Session, Roosevelt Island mom Lauren Blankstein and her son reported on the lack of available playing time for local kids on Roosevelt Island ball fields due to the closing of Octagon Field and permitting of other fields to off-Island groups.

According to Ms Blankstein:

... I don't understand how on this Island with all this open space and green space that our kids are so restricted...

... Where are our kids supposed to play...

Ms Blankstein's son Niv Betel added

... I don't know if I'm right or wrong ... but I feel that...

RIOC thinks the:

... beautiful fields can only be used for business and not for residents. And I feel that's wrong.

Here's the presentation by Ms Blankstein and Seth.

What's Going On With Roosevelt Island Sportspark Facility Renovations And Program Improvements - Cornell Tech Students Submit Sportspark Renovation Proposal To RIOC

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) operates the Sportspark Facility. According to RIOC:

... Sportspark is located just south of the Tramway Plaza on Roosevelt Island. The facility opened in 1977 and is available for the public to use on a membership, drop-in, or permit basis. Permit price varies according to the event, date, and number of hours.

The Facility

The Sportspark Complex is designed to offer numerous athletic opportunities for the New York City community. This indoor athletic recreation facility is equipped with a pool, gymnasium, multipurpose room, and locker room areas. Sportspark offers multiple indoor athletic and general fitness opportunities for all ages throughout the year....

Sportspark Image From Google Maps

The Sportspark facility is in need of building renovations and program improvements. The Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Island Services and Planning Committees have asked to meet with RIOC to provide community input on Sportspark renovations, improvements and future programing. To date, RIRA has not been successful in obtaining a meeting with RIOC on Sportspark issues.

RIOC President Susan Rosenthal reported on the status of Sportspark renovations and community input in her April Community report: According to Ms. Rosenthal:

Sportspark Renovation

RIRA also recently asked us to review their report and ideas for the Sportspark renovation project. While we have more plans to solicit community input on this project, we first should update you on the plan’s current state.

The first Sportspark RFP, set to be released by mid-June, is for design services and biddable documents only; not for physical renovation (that will be addressed in a subsequent RFP). Once we have a firm in place, then we will engage you, and the RIRA committee (and utilize our Cornell community study on possible programs) to receive your input and ideas on the renovation.

Members of our staff have reviewed the information RIRA provided, of which a majority involves facility concerns that we are aware of and agree should be addressed with the design.

We recognize RIRA is excited about the project and so are we. We look forward to working together. I will share additional updates as the project moves along.

Below are excerpts from the December 2017 Cornell Tech Sportspark Student Report.

Executive Summary

This report constitutes the recommendations for Sportspark improvements based on the discussions between Mary Cunneen and the Cornell Tech student team, as well as objective data gathered by a community-wide survey. The goal is to take advantage of the planned resources for renovation to make Sportspark more available, accessible, and relevant to the community, as well as drive conversion from daily passes to memberships. To this end, we recommend a use case for the upper floor, elucidation of Sportspark information, opening enabling facility amenities outside of class-hours, the creation of additional activities, and other suggestions as determined by the information we collected....

... Closing Thoughts

The biggest current problems with Sportspark are unclear messaging to potential patrons, a lack of “open-gym” activities, misalignment with the needs of some community members, and maintenance concerns. Our goal for this proposal was to address those problems, and we believe that the renovation provides a perfect opportunity to solve many of them. We hope that Sportspark can benefit from some of the suggestions provided here, and that the survey data collected can help guide future decisions that are out of scope of the topics discussed herein....

... Most commonly cited issues/suggestions from the Additional Comments section:

The locker rooms need renovation, including:

• Fix the showers to have adjustable water temperature o Add hooks to hang towels
• Fix toilet stall doors
• Showers should be sanitized regularly
• Soap dispensers should be filled

The website needs to be updated to be more navigable and clearer to readers

There should be a weight room with a trainer

Extend open hours (6am-10pm)

The water temperature in the pool is too cold

Make a group-priced membership available

Make the multipurpose room nicer with a softer floor

Add more family activities

Add more Yoga and Swimming lessons

Increase awareness of the facility across RI

Basketball Court should be mopped more frequently

Add Tennis lessons

Add Yoga-specific membership option

Add Cardio equipment

Add mirrors to multipurpose room

Establish partnership with Cornell Tech

Better AC in multipurpose room

Reconsider swim-cap rule for younger children

and here's the full Cornell Tech Student Sportspark Renovation report.

Registration Begins Today For New Roosevelt Island 8 Week Spring Soccer Program For Kids In Grades 6 -12 - Skills, Drills, Scrimmages & Games Says RIOC

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Information Officer Alonza Robertson reports:

The new Roosevelt Island Youth Soccer program is extending an open invitation to boys and girls, of all skill levels in grades 6-12, to “get in the game.”

On Thursday, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC), announced registration is now open for their nine-week spring soccer program that will feature skills training, fundamental drills, scrimmages and games to be led by New York City-area collegiate soccer players and parent volunteers.

The program is open to both residents and non-residents of Roosevelt Island.

“There are more than three million young people playing soccer in the United States and that number continues to rise every year,” said Erica Spencer-EL, RIOC’s newly-appointed Director of Community Affairs and managing director of Island’s Youth Center.

“Interest in youth soccer is just as high here on Roosevelt Island,” she said. “We’re excited to debut something popular, fun and physically beneficial for our children.”

Like many youth sports, experts agree that soccer teaches life lessons about collaboration and cooperation.

“Besides mastering the ability to control, shield, juggle, and dribble the ball with both feet, we want to teach our young people how to work together,” said RIOC President Susan Rosenthal.

The free program will run every Saturday from May 5 through June 30 at the Island’s Octagon Field. Starting at 9 a.m., there will be eight different workshop sessions, organized by age and skill level, lasting up to 90 minutes.

Click here to sign-up. Registration ends Monday, April 30. Parents interested in volunteer coaching are encouraged to email the program at RIYouthSoccer@rioc.ny.gov.

“Soccer is the first of, what we hope will be, many new program options for our Youth Center and community as a whole,” Spencer-EL said.

RIOC previously announced that the Roosevelt Island spring soccer program would partner with St Johns and Fordham University.

RIOC plans for the operation of Roosevelt Island Youth Center was discussed at April 14 meeting with parents. Video of meeting here.

Click here to sign-up for the Roosevelt Island Spring Summer Soccer Program.

Roosevelt Island Resident Emily Engstler Named Gatorade New York Girl's High School Basketball Player Of The Year For Outstanding Athletic Excellence, Academic Achievement & Exemplary Character On And Off The Field

Roosevelt Island resident Emily Engstler is one of the top High School Basketball players in the county.

Bleacher Report introduces us to Ms Engstler and shows her shooting hoops on the Blackwell Park basketball court..

5-Star Syracuse commit Emily Engstler is the NYC basketball star you don’t know pic.twitter.com/qXCb5zEfLx

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 22, 2018

According to this September 2017 ESPN W article:

Sometimes it's morning. Sometimes it's night. When Emily Engstler looks out her window, the basketball hoops, the clean white nets, call her. She bolts out of bed and jogs to the courts across the street from her home on Roosevelt Island in Manhattan, New York.

The 6-foot-2 senior at St. Francis Prep waits on the sideline, dribbling the ball between her legs before staking claim: "I got next!"

She's the only girl here, on the concrete courts that face the East River, and always has been. Back in middle school, though, no one picked her up. She hadn't earned respect yet, so she came day after day to study the way the guys hustled, the way they protected the ball....

Click here for the full ESPN W article.

Ms. Engster was named 2017-18 Gatorade New York Girl's Basketball Player of the Year. According to a March 19 Gatorade press release:

In its 33rd year of honoring the nation’s best high school athletes, The Gatorade Company, today announced Emily Engstler of St. Francis Preparatory School as its 2017-18 Gatorade New York Girls Basketball Player of the Year. Engstler is the first Gatorade New York Girls Basketball Player of the Year to be chosen from St. Francis Preparatory School.

The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field, distinguishes Engstler as New York’s best high school girls basketball player. Now a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year award announced in March, Engstler joins an elite alumni association of past state girls basketball award-winners...

... The 6-foot-1 senior forward led the Terriers to a 19-9 record and the Brooklyn/Queens Catholic High School Athletic Association championship game this past season. Engstler averaged 18.3 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 3.3 steals and 2.1 blocks per game. A Women’s Basketball Coaches Association First Team All-American, she has been chosen to play in the McDonald’s All-American Game and the Jordan Brand Classic. Engstler is ranked as the nation’s No. 11 recruit in the Class of 2018 by espnW and is a finalist for Miss New York Basketball.

A tutor in her school, Engstler has volunteered locally on behalf of Harvest for the World and youth basketball programs. “Engstler can single-handedly take over a game,” said Phree Edwards, head coach at Bishop Loughlin High. “She can score in the paint, she can put the ball on the floor, she can shoot from the outside too. She also has great vision and she can protect the rim on defense.”

Engstler has maintained an A-minus average in the classroom. She has signed a National Letter of Intent to play basketball on scholarship at Syracuse University beginning this fall....

... As a Gatorade Player of the Year, Emily will be able to select a national or local youth sports organization to receive a grant as part of the Gatorade Play It Forward program. Every Gatorade Player of the Year state winner receives a $1,000 grant to donate and will have the opportunity to enter for an additional $10,000 spotlight grant by writing a brief essay explaining why their selected organization deserves additional support. 12 spotlight grants – one for each sport – will be announced throughout the year....

Click here for the full press release.

Main Street WIRE reports on Ms Engstler too.

Congrats to Roosevelt Island's Emily Engstler.

Opening Day Of 2016 Fall Roosevelt Island Youth Program Soccer League Season At Octagon Field - 360 Kids Playing And Having A Great Time In Free Soccer Program For Boys And Girls

The Roosevelt Island Youth Program (RIYP) 2016 Fall Soccer League Season opening day took place Saturday, September 17 on a beautiful sunny day at the Octagon Soccer Field.

Image From Nataliia Ilnytska

360 Roosevelt Island

boys and girls

between the ages of 5 - 16

will play every Saturday

within their divisions through November 19 in the free RIYP Fall Soccer League at the October Soccer Field.

RIYP Sports Director/Beacon Deputy Director Andrey Chickagov took a break from his Opening Day responsibilities to talk with me about the upcoming RIYP Soccer League Season.  Mr. Chickagov said our young soccer players have:

...a great time like they always do at the Roosevelt Island Youth Program....

Here's Mr. Chicagov.



You're invited to come out and root for the RIYP Soccer players every Saturday this fall at the Octagon Field.



Also, adult volunteer soccer coaches are always needed and welcomed.

If interested you can contact RIYP here.

New Roosevelt Island Youth Baseball League Being Formed For Kids 6-8 and 9-11 Years Old By Roosevelt Island Center Of Community Development - More Youth Sports Planned Too

Reported last December of a new Roosevelt Island organization being formed - the Roosevelt Island Center of Community Development (RICCD). According to the RICCD web site:

Formed by its adverse history and now facing some of its most significant changes to date, the Roosevelt Island community and the people who call it home enter an important season which is sure to shape the future of this city island. It is within this context that the Roosevelt Island Center of Community Development exists to equip and empower high capacity, high character leaders for the physical, social, and cultural flourishing of Roosevelt Island....

 Image From RICCD

The RICCD report that they are starting a new Roosevelt Island youth baseball league:

This spring, the Roosevelt Island Center of Community Development launches a brand new co-ed, island-wide little league. The league will include 2 different age groups; minors (6-8yrs old) and majors (9-11yrs old), with the intent of expanding to other age groups in the coming years. Children and their parents can expect a well-planned, 10 game season. In addition, the RICCD little league will include a pre-season kick-off event (pitch, hit, and run), a pre-season parent’s gathering, an all-star game, and the league will finish strong with a playoff and little league championship game. In addition, the league has focused on recruiting high character parents, young professionals, and others leaders from the community who are ready to invest much of their spring into launching this new neighborhood little-league. Cost is $50 per child with the ability to receive a full scholarship for free play if needed, based on need.

Registration info here.

The RICCD plans to organize more Roosevelt Island youth sports activities including soccer, basketball and softball. More information here.

As previously reported, the Roosevelt Island Youth Program (RIYP)) begins in April its 38th year of free Little League baseball for kids 6-13 years of age as well as a Soccer League too.

Here's registration info for RIYP Baseball and Soccer.

Zog Bubbleball Soccer & Volleyball Played Today At Roosevelt Island's Firefighters Field

Zog Sports guys and girls were playing volleyball 

and Bubbleball Soccer this afternoon

at Roosevelt Island's Firefighters Field.

Here's some of the action.





Looks like fun.

UPDATE 8/14 - Group picture of the players from Twitter.

Yesterday, @TrustpilotUS spent the day having Field Day at Roosevelt Island! #TrustpilotLife pic.twitter.com/tuB45vz0r3

— TrustpilotUS (@TrustpilotUS) August 13, 2015

Roosevelt Island Free Co Ed Rugby Coaching Clinic & Conditioning Presented By Roosevelt Island Youth Program With Pacific Island Warriors Players Starting August 1

Roosevelt Island Youth Program (RIYP) Executive Director Charlie DeFino reports:

Rugby on Roosevelt Island

Image From Pacific Island Warriors (NY) Rugby Team

The Roosevelt Island Youth Program (RIYP) will launch a free co-ed introduction to rugby coaching clinic for middle to high school age children on the island starting on Saturday, 1 August 2015. The clinics will also extend to conditioning and coaching for all ages.

Registration is free.

Dates: Saturdays beginning 1 August 2015

4:30 pm to 5:30 pm: Introduction to rugby for middle to high school age children.

5:30 pm to 7:30 pm: Rugby conditioning and coaching for all ages (Touch Rugby).

Venue: Octagon Fields on Roosevelt Island

The RIYP rugby clinic is organized in collaboration with the Pacific Island community on Roosevelt Island. Coaching and instruction will be led by Coach Viliame Vakasisikala

Image From Pacific Island Warriors (NY) Rugby Team

and members of the Pacific Island Warriors (NY) Rugby team.

Image From Pacific Island Warriors (NY) Rugby Team

Coach Vili has been affiliated with New York club rugby for 15 years after playing senior representative rugby in Fiji and the Pacific. Two of his sons are currently on scholarships playing Division 1 college rugby. They, along with rugby playing Roosevelt Island residents, will form the core volunteer coaching staff at the clinics.

This community initiative comes from the growing interest in the United States in rugby both as a recreational and professional sport. Rugby is the national sport of many Pacific island countries. Over the last twenty years, Roosevelt Island has been home to many Pacific Islanders, who see this as a unique opportunity to give back to our host community by sharing their passion for rugby.

Image From Pacific Island Warriors (NY) Rugby Team

Bring the kids out for an introduction to one of the fastest growing sports in the United States or simply join us for a run!



The US national rugby team, the Eagles, will be playing in the Rugby World Cup in September 2015 and at the 2016 Summer Olympics. Rugby is also played at the high school and collegiate levels in the US.

I am excited about the rugby program as previous attempts to introduce rugby on Roosevelt Island did not pan out. This rugby clinic is built on the commitment of volunteer parents and families who want to give back to their community through a sport that they know. It's a great opportunity for the kids to learn a new sport and make new friends."

Here's a sample of Pacific Island Warriors rugby from their Facebook page.

Posted by Pacific Island Warriors on Saturday, July 11, 2015

Call the RIYP (212) 527-2505 or check out their Facebook page for more information

Bubbleball Soccer At Roosevelt Island Sportspark - Slam, Bam, Bounce & Score

UPDATE 7/28 - Contact info if you want to play Bubbleball Soccer.

Julian Sanjivan
Operations Manager
BubbleBall

37 West 39th Street, Suite 904, New York, NY 10018

Tel #: 1-844-428-2253 (844-4BUBBLE)

Email: play@bubbleball.us

Website (rentals): http://bubbleball.co/

Website (sales): http://bubbleball.us/

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.

Weekend Sports on Roosevelt Island - Cricket, Basketball and Ironman Football

Eli Manning Pass to David Tyree You Tube video link.

Congratulations to the New York Giants on their remarkable win of last night's Super Bowl. It was one of the most exciting Super Bowl games ever played. Eli Manning's scramble avoiding a last minute sack by the Patriot defense and then pass to David Tyree who made a remarkable catch with his helmet was unbelievable. It reminded me of the immaculate reception catch by Franco Harris though Tyree's catch is of greater importance since it occurred in the Super Bowl rather than a Divisional Playoff game.

There was sporting activities on Roosevelt Island this weekend as well. Walking by the playground on way to Roosevelt Island Farmers Market on Saturday, I saw a couple practicing their cricket swings. They were pretty good and kindly allowed me to take their picture.


Then there was the father and son shooting hoops at the basketball court.


Finally the Roosevelt Island Super Bowl. Not only was it Full Contact, No Pads football, but it was played with spikes and mouth guards. The players and fans joked about who would be knocked out of the game first and when. These were tough guys!


Now that Football season is over ( the Pro Bowl does not count) we can turn our attention to my favorite sport Baseball. New York Yankee Pitchers and Catchers report to spring training on February 14, only 10 more days!

James Earl Jones talking about baseball from Field of Dreams You Tube video link.

Greatest Play in Football History?

Can the Roosevelt Island Zog football players pull off a play like this? A last second, game deciding, backward lateraling play that looks more like Rugby than Football. It is the type of play that kids playing in parks have been trying to complete since football began. Amazing.
Here is the story about this play in a college game between the Trinity Tigers and Millsaps Majors from the Galveston Daily News:

Here was the set up: Trinity trailed by two points with 2 seconds remaining. Trinity had just taken over possession on its own 40-yard line. Without a field goal kicker who coach Steve Mohr trusted to make a 77-yard field goal, Trinity opted to try for a miracle.

“I was thinking maybe we could get a chance,” Barmore said. “It turned into a little backyard football with some basketball mixed in.”

Barmore passed to Shawn Thompson at midfield to begin the play being called the “Mississippi Miracle.” Eight laterals later, Barmore touched the ball again when he caught a lateral at his own 43. He found some space and ran to the Millsaps' 31, where he pitched the ball to Thompson while falling down.

You Tube video link is here.

Run for Congo Women on Roosevelt Island

Via Roosevelt Island 360 there will be a Run for Congo Women 5K run/walk event with accompanying morning Red Bus disruptions tomorrow morning. Registration starts at 8:30 AM.

Zog Sports on Roosevelt Island

Have you ever wondered what was going on with the large groups of people walking around in their Zog T-shirts and softball gear? I received this email explaining:

ZogSports, the charity-focused, social, co-ed sports league for young professionals in their 20s and 30s, is gearing up to start its fall leagues in a few weeks and we’ll be back on Roosevelt Island for a few of our sports. I know a lot of residents on the Island have wondered who we are since on several weeknights and weekend afternoons our participants travel to the Island in large groups sporting brightly colored ZogSports t-shirts!
...ZogSports has spent the last four years helping young New Yorkers break the monotony of the typical day – work/gym/bar/home - by offering sports leagues, trips, social events, and volunteer opportunities for young professionals in their 20s and 30s. To date, they have brought together 33,000+ participants and given more than $290,000 to charity.
This fall, ZogSports will be playing a portion of its Outdoor Soccer, Touch Football, and Softball leagues on Roosevelt Island.
Participants can sign up as an entire team or as an individual/small group and we’ll place them on a team. Teammates get to know each other at the organized post-game happy hours at local bars.
As a philanthropy-focused organization, ZogSports donates a portion of all proceeds to charity, and helps all participants Play For Your Cause by making donations to winning teams’ charities of choice. Teams have the opportunity to win both on the field as well as off, with awards given for Best Team Name, Best Team Spirit, and Best Happy Hour Team. ZogSports also partners with local charitable organizations to promote/co-sponsor their events, and organizes charity events of its own.

It sounds like fun.