Baseball All Star Tournament in New CIty Benefits ARC of Rockland

The annual New City Little League baseball All Star Invitational Tournament for the benefit of the ARC of Rockland is in full swing at Zukor Park in New City.

The 2010 tournament began Thursday, July 15, and will conclude with the finals on Thursday, July 22. The tournament was started 14 years ago and, for each of the past 11 years, NCLL has donated its proceeds, plus some extra out of its own budget, to ARC of Rockland. 

NCLL presents this donation at the ARC's annual A Taste of Rockland, to be held this year on Monday, Sept. 27, at the Pearl River Hilton.

The tournament raises money through entry fees, the 50/50 raffle, and memorabilia like the tournament program.  Though this does raise a good amount of money, some of this is utilized to cover expenses, which include medals, trophies and t-shirts for the participants.  Rockland ASA umpires donate their services to the tournament every other year. 

For the past 11 years, even in recent hard economic times, NCLL has donated a fixed amount to the ARC.  Each year, the board votes on what amount to donate which, in the past, has remained the same.  Since the tournament does not usually generate enough revenue to meet the donation goal, NCLL will absorb the difference by donating out of its own budget.  According to NCLL President Lon Hofstein, the members of the ARC have been very appreciative of, and impressed by, the NCLL's ability to maintain their donation goals.

"The whole purpose is to benefit the ARC," explained Hofstein.  "It's about us helping out and giving back to the community."

This year, nine teams from the Rockland Little League District 18 signed up to participate.  Represented are Congers,  Haverstraw, Nanuet, New City, Nyack-Valley Cottage, Ramapo, South Orangetown, Suffern and West Nyack.  The tournament includes a skills competition in addition to the overall competition between the nine teams.  The skills competition took place Saturday and included a fastest man race, a home run derby, and an outfield to home "throw."  Winners received trophies or medals, depending on the competition.

The tournament began with teams competing in three pools comprised of three teams.  The winners of the pools and wildcard move onto the semifinals. The semifinals were originally scheduled for today, however, due to rain delays, the final games to determine the winners of the pools will be continued tonight.

Competing tonight are Congers against Haverstraw at 5:30 p.m., Nanuet against Ramapo at 7:45 p.m., and New City against Suffern at 7:45 p.m.  The winners of the pools and the wildcard will play in the semifinals Wednesday at 7:45 p.m.  The victors from those two games will then compete for the tournament title in the finals on Thursday at 7:45 p.m.

"We want to instill in the children that they should be grateful," said Hofstein.  "It isn't just about playing baseball, but part of life is helping others that are less fortunate."