it's great that kevin's got the 38 all-star game going this saturday at 3 at new scotland, and, right now, accuweather says we'll get the game in. the game is open to everyone in the league - not just the players - and it'd be great if we get a large turnout. it's fun to watch what is usually the last game of the year - there's lots of razzing from the bench and bleachers - and it's also a good time to shoot the breeze with guys from other teams, something we don't often get a chance to do during the season.
and like to suggest 2 additions:
PICNIC: here's hoping we can pull off the traditional picnic afterwards. if two guys can bring it upon themselves to tote a grill and some charcoals, others perhaps can bring dishes to pass - that is, hot dogs, hamburgers, potato chips, drinks, etc. ? i'll bring a salad, chips and some soft drinks. visitors are invited to the picnic too.
so, any grill-toting volunteers out there?
EQUIPMENT COLLECTION FOR KIDS IN LATIN AMERICA: i've invited steve pindar, founder of ROBERTO'S KIDS to join us for the game. i mentioned this in july and got a nice response from guys in the league.
steve, his wife and son are coming from oneonta and will be happy to take back any used equipment we care to donate - including spikes, gloves, bats, balls, everything, i'd think, but cups. well, those too, if they've been washed in clorox.
i'll have marked boxes there, and when you arrive, you can drop off the equipment. because steve and his family will have to leave before our game ends, donations should be made before the game. if you'd planned to give, say, your spikes or glove after the game, you can take his address and mail them.
Roberto's Kids has connections with the Roberto Clemente Foundation and its purpose is to send old baseball equipment to poor kids in latin america. the organization is several years old and its goal this year is to send 100,000 pounds of equipment aboard container ships to puerto rico, the dominican republic and, depending on the size of the contributions, one or more other latin american countries.
(the other day, steve told me, he picked up his phone to hear a voice say: "hello steve, this is dennis martinez in nicaragua." the former major league pitcher was hoping steve could get some supplies there. i share martinez's hope: nicaragua was of course the country that clemente was taking emergency supplies to when he died in a plane crash. and. it's a bias i have: i once lived there.)
i'd also like to take pictures of steve, his family and our donations and submit them to hardball - not to boast of our charity, which is unseemly, but hopefully to help his organization get more donations from around the league.
so if you think you have something you'd like to donate, the gift would be very much appreciated.
if you want to read more about ROBERTO'S KIDS, you can go to their web site - www.robertos-kids.org
the site is still under construction, but you'll see some information there and endorsements from among others, pedro martinez and omar minaya.
Tell Steve to bring a big truck. I have uniform shirts, catcher's equipment, helmets and bats. Probably enough to supply two teams. If my compatriots are going to bring as much as I think they are, well maybe he shold rent a u-haul.
I can also bring a portable gas grill that I use to tailgate at football games.
It looks like Mother Nature is going to cooperate, so lets have a big turnout. We will have some fun!!!!
mike, that's great about the grill - and the donation. see you saturday.
tony, good question. i just spoke with steve. he said i could put his name, address and phone number on the web site and guys can mail equipment to him. if you have questions you can call or email him.
another option, for you or others, is to give your used equipment to a teammate who might be going to saturday's game.
Stephen Pindar Roberto's Kids 55 Union Street Oneonta, NY 13820
