Marathon game hit with charities

Talk about extra innings.
The longest youth league baseball game ever played – which started at noon on May 22 and ended at noon on May 23 at MCU Park in Coney Island – yielded $32,000 for various charities including Fisher House, St. Mary’s Hospital for Children and Bridge of Life. The proceeds were distributed by sponsor Holy Family Knights of Columbus, Council #14520 during their September 15 meeting led by Grand Knight and Retired U.S. Army Colonel Peter Sammarco.
The Knights of Columbus council created the event called “Extra Innings with HBQVB” to raise money for charities and help support the Hollis-Bellaire-Queens Village-Bellerose (HBQVB) Athletic Association. The roster for the around-the-clock game ranged from five-year-old tee-ballers to 18-year-old future prospects. New York Mets alum and manager of the Brooklyn Cyclones, Wally Backman, participated as the celebrity guest at the Baseball Showcase, the fundraiser’s grand prize for those who were able to raise at least $250. At the showcase, Backman had lunch with the winners and discussed the importance of giving back to the community.
“I’ve been involved in some great games, even World Series games, and our park in Brooklyn has seen some great baseball, but nothing like this,” said Backman.
Over 500 players from the HBQVB league participated in the marathon game and according to Sammarco, it won’t be the last.
“We are all excited about doing it again next year,” said Sammarco. “It was a fantastic day.”