Kids have a ‘hand’ball in Police Athletic League

The Queens South Police Athletic League (PAL) handball league is under way.
The league started on Friday, July 18 and the matchups usually last from about 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. every Friday at I.S. 231 in Springfield Gardens.
“We were expecting like 10-15 kids,” said Detective Todd Taylor. “We had like 60 kids show up.”
There are kids from all ages, boys and girls from 10 to 16 years old.
The league is completely free, no charges for registration or equipment. The kids even get a free T-shirt when they join.
“Even though the league was free a lot of the kids came with all the equipment,” said Taylor. “The parents bought all the gear that the kids possibly even needed, even handball gloves.”
Taylor and the other officers say that they hope that the kids can learn to interact with the police and realize that they’re not just police, they are people too.
A goal of the handball league, according to officials, is to spark an interest in the children.
“It opens up the kids to new experiences and has them try new things,” said Taylor. “It teaches them that basketball isn’t the only game to play in New York City.”
Trophies and awards will be given out at the final day of the playoffs. Registration for the leagues is still open; contact NYPD Youth Services at 718-224-7371 if you are interested.