by Tony Spota

The Long Island Bombers blind softball team showed their stuff both at the bat and in the field as they roared to a 21-18 victory in BABHAB’s 11th Annual Blind Softball Game at Town of Babylon Park on Friday night, August 24. The contest was originally slated against the New York Islanders hockey team, but a late summer camp schedule change (a week before game time) meant that the Isles weren’t available for this one. They were represented by Dave Scatchard, Sean Donnellan and former Islander Benoit Hogue who now performs for the Dallas Stars. Goalie Steve Janaszak and pitcher John Habyan joined the challenging club (dubbed the Babylon Stars) as a healthy array of sports notables took to the field. Janaszak won an gold medal playing for the United States in the 1980 Olympic Games at Lake Placid. That’s the one where the miracle team beat the Soviet Union and took it all. Habyan starred for the New York Yankees and five other major league baseball teams. The remainder of the Stars lineup was ably filled by members of the Suffolk 1860s Base Ball club.

The crowd had a great time with plenty of games, raffles, refreshments and fun for all. 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 Babylon Beeper manager Jack Scherr who passed away recently. Scherr performed for the Beeps in the annual game’s first nine years. A moment of silence was conducted by Father Jim Vlaun.

All cash proceeds will go to local charities. This year, BABHAB (Babylon for the Homeless and Blind) has already awarded over $8000 to the local needy, including ten $500 scholarships, a $1200 donation to the Good Samaritan Hospice and $1000 to the Babylon Breast Cancer Coalition. The game proceeds will benefit more local charities including Vacation Camps for Blind Children, the Blinded Veterans Association, Habitat for Humanity and the Guide Dog Foundation of Smithtown.

Festivities began with the introduction of local dignitaries. Bombers manager Ted Fass was presented an Islander game jersey. The National Anthem was sung by Joseph Walsh of Our Lady of Lourdes Angels Choir.

In Beep Ball each hit is a run, a safety rule to eliminate baserunners and possible basepath collisions. The slugfest had a series record 39 runs as both teams scored in each inning. The Stars drew first blood on hits by Janaszak and Habyan. The Bombers took control early and it looked like a runaway until the last frame when the Stars tallied six runs to make it close. Every player in the Bomber lineup hit safely and Jim Hughes and Steve Guerra had a field day, each going 5 for 5. Hughes, Fass, Braulio Thorne and Ron Matthews showed plenty of leather with a number of fielding gems. Ed Medina, Romeo Edmead and Matt Sapolin added plenty to the Bomber attack.

The evening was indeed fun-filled with hot dogs and soda going for a buck, plenty of free autographs and a classy game program which was used to select lucky prize winners. BABHAB will next benefit from the Men’s Slow Pitch One Pitch Softball Tournament, open to all teams. Games are scheduled for October 5-7 at Firemen’s Park in Lindenhurst. The entry fee is $150 per team and September 30 is the deadline. Call Bob Weiden at 226-6037 for details.