By Alex Christodoulides
There was no play in Mudville Friday due to a steady rain, but the Jamaica Estates Holliswood Little League did win a new expansion team: Briarwood.
The league, now named the Jamaica Estates Holliswood Briarwood Little League, announced the alliance at a news conference last week at PS 117 in Briarwood, with players, team personnel and state Assemblyman Rory Lancman (D-Fresh Meadows), a self-professioned baseball fan, in attendance.
The meeting was held in the school auditorium after rain forced the group indoors, and Lancman also announced a free baseball clinic at St. John's University next month for interested children.
“I love baseball, love the game, love talking about it, and this is an opportunity for kids to play and learn the game, learn to win graciously and lose gracefully,” Lancman said. “The things you learn in baseball are things you can take with you through the rest of your life.”
The clinic will take place on the baseball field at St. John's June 21 between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. for children from the ages of 5 to 13. It is to be led by the university's men's baseball coach, free of charge, Lancman said.
Frank Connolly-Weinert, of the Jamaica Estates Holliswood Briarwood Little League board of directors and an associate professor of theology at St. John's, told the assembled children they might just find out they are the next big names in baseball.
“You folks don't know it yet, but you could be the next Jose Reyes or Johan Santana,” he said.
The Briarwood team will probably draw many of its players from PS 117 and MS 217, its neighbor a block away. Both already share athletic facilities.
The Little League team comprises some 350 children, split into six divisions from T-ball to the 15-to-18-year-old seniors, Connolly-Weichert said.
Reach reporter Alex Christodoulides by e-mail at achristodoulides@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 155.
