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Long Island Bombers beat stars in annual blind baseball game by Tony Spota The Long Island Bombers blind softball team scored in every inning as they took the Babylon Celebrity Stars, 12-6 in BABHAB’s 12th Annual Blind Softball Game at Town of Babylon Park on Friday night, August 9. The crowd had a great time. Prizes were awarded to holders of lucky scorecards and silent auctions included an authentic autographed ice skate signed by Olympic great Sarah Hughes. The price of admission was a can of food, donated to the Federation of Organizations for the Homeless. The game was dedicated to the memory of the victims of 9/11. All cash proceeds will go to local charities. This year, BABHAB (Babylon for the Homeless and Blind) has already awarded over $6300 to the local needy and has earmarked another $5000 to be distributed. The game proceeds will benefit the Babylon Breast Cancer Coalition, Habitat for Humanity, the Guide Dog Foundation of Smithtown and others. Festivities began with the introduction of local dignitaries by Town Supervisor Steve Bellone. The National Anthem was sung by Jodie Klobus and renditions of God Bless America were performed by five year old Robert Buonaspina and blind bagpiper Kevin Gaffney. Suffolk County Legislator David Bishop took a turn at bat for the Celebrity Stars. In Beep Ball each hit is a run, a safety rule to eliminate baserunners and possible basepath collisions. Hockey great Benoit Hogue opened the game with a leadoff hit in the first inning. He was joined in the Star lineup by Olympic championship goalie Steve Janaszak and former major league pitcher John Habyan. The Bombers answered in their half when Matt Sapolin smacked the first of his three hits. Tom Dreitlein put the Stars ahead in the next frame, but the Bombers took it from then on with a multi-hit game from both Jim Hughes and Ed Medina. Shortstop Hughes, leftfielder Braulio Thorne and centerfielder Ted Fass made repeated outstanding plays in the field, thwarting the Stars inning after inning. The Bombers scored on five straight hits in the bottom of the fifth and the Stars came back with four in the top of the sixth - too little, too late. The evening was indeed fun-filled with hot dogs and soda going for a buck, free autographs and a classy game program. BABHAB will next benefit from the Men’s Slow Pitch One Pitch Softball Tournament, open to all teams scheduled for October at Firemen’s Park in Lindenhurst.
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