HBQVB Athletic Association to play 2nd annual 24-hour baseball game for charity; Players can have lunch with 2 time World Series winner and former Met great Howard Johnson!

Queens, NY.- Sleep was at a premium starting at noon on Saturday, May 21^st, when the 500 players of HBQVB AA (Hollis-Bellaire-Queens Village-Bellerose Athletic Association) participated in the 2^nd annual 24-hour marathon baseball game to be held at MCU Park, home of the Brooklyn Cyclones.

Fundraising continues thru June 19th!  We are hoping to exceed last years fundraising total of $32,000.

This charity event raised over $32,000 last year for a variety of national, regional and local charities, and also to help support the HBQVB Athletic Association.  This year’s primary charity will be Fisher House, which is a unique private-public partnership that supports America’s military in their time of need by providing housing on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers. These homes enable family members to be close to a loved one at the most stressful times, during the hospitalization for an unexpected illness, disease, or injury.

“Extra Innings” will began on Saturday, May 21^st, at noon and continued straight through the night until Sunday, May 22^nd, at noon.  Every baseball and softball player at HBQVB  participated in “Extra Innings” will play in the game.  The 24-hour roster featured T-ballers right through to our oldest players, who range in age from five to 18.  In fact, many of them have parents who played in HBQVB when they were the same ages.

The 24-hour game of a lifetime was, once again, be played at MCU Park, home of the New York Mets’ Class-A farm team, the Brooklyn Cyclones.

Event organizer and HBQVB Board member, Michael Otero, said “What a great 24 hours for HBQVB!  The smiles on the kids faces said it all!  What a great experience for everyone!  We built on the momentum gained from last year’s game and  this year’s game was bigger and better.  Everyone who participated last year, from players to coaches and parents, walked away with the memory of a lifetime and the satisfaction of knowing that their efforts helped benefit many very worthy causes. ”

As players raised funds they receive prizes, ranging from an official event T-shirt to the opportunity to attend, with a guest, lunch with 2 time World Series winner and former Met great Howard Johnson.  Lunch includes a question and answer session and a picture taking opportunity. The top overall fundraiser will win the opportunity to throw out the first pitch at the July 8^th Brooklyn Cyclones game.  There will also be team awards to encourage participation.

About HBQVB Athletic Association:

Hollis-Bellaire-Queens Village-Bellerose Athletic Association, Inc. (HBQVB) is a state certified not-for-profit baseball and softball organization.  It is a chartered member of the nationally known Babe Ruth baseball association.  HBQVB is located in central-eastern Queens, two blocks west of the Cross Island Parkway on Hillside Avenue, easily accessible from major NYC and Long Island highways.  In addition to the nine playing fields (known as PADAVAN-PRELLER FIELDS), there are batting cages, restrooms, an equipment room, a concession stand and a full parking lot.

The league was founded in 1954.  The first president of the organization was Bill Gallo, the well known Daily News cartoonist, who formerly lived in Hollis.  He, along with a few neighbors, started the league in his back yard.  In 1963, the membership parents, with the assistance of local politicians Fred Preller and Matt Troy, obtained the rights to the present general property on Hillside Avenue opposite the Creedmoor Hospital facility.  The first diamond, Fred Preller Stadium, opened in 1966.  Building continued through the 1960’s, again with the aid of local politicians, most notably State Senator Frank Padavan.  The last field was constructed in 1995.  HBQVB now has nine tailored ball fields and dugouts which cover 14 acres and which were all constructed by volunteers.  During subsequent years, the league was able to purchase the land from New York State for the exclusive use of youth programs.

HBQVB programs begin with five-year-olds playing T-Ball, and a pitching machine Pee-Wee division for six and seven-year-olds.  The programs continue with the better recognized little league divisions of Midget, Minor, Major, Pony and Senior- representing boys and girls from the ages of eight to 16.  The older boys and girls play on full-scale baseball/softball diamonds. All divisions are open to children of all skills and experience levels.  Programs for 17 and 18-year-olds are offered on a limited basis, in addition to competitive travel and tournament teams in many age brackets.

The mission of HBQVB has always been to implant in the youth of the community the ideals and virtues of honesty, fair play, integrity and respect for the game, as well as good sportsmanship.  The HBQVB motto “We teach more than just the sport” drives the present organization into providing the highest quality programs and services to the community.

About Howard Johnson:

HBQVB is pleased to announce that Howard Johnson will be this year’s featured 24-hour game luncheon guest!  All players who raise $250 as part of our 24-hour charity baseball game will qualify to attend the luncheon with one guest where Howard Johnson will sign autographs, take pictures and answer questions.  Howard Johnson played in the Major Leagues for 14 years, with nine of those years spent with the Mets, including that magical season of 1986!  Many may remember the highlight clip of his jumping up and down in the on-deck circle, after the grounder that Mookie Wilson hit went through Bill Buckner’s legs in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series.  In his career, he hit 228 home runs and had 760 RBI and had a 30-30 season three times!  He was a two-time All-Star and ranks third on the Mets all-time list for home runs, RBI, doubles and stolen bases!!!

About Fisher House Foundation:

The Fisher House™ program is a unique private-public partnership that supports America’s military in their time of need. The program recognizes the special sacrifices of our men and women in uniform and the hardships of military service by meeting a humanitarian need beyond that normally provided by the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs.

Because members of the military and their families are stationed worldwide and must often travel great distances for specialized medical care, Fisher House™ Foundation donates “comfort homes,” built on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers. These homes enable family members to be close to a loved one at the most stressful times-during the hospitalization for an unexpected illness, disease, or injury.

There is at least one Fisher House™ at every major military medical center to assist families in need and to ensure that they are provided with the comforts of home in a supportive environment. Annually, the Fisher House™ program serves more than 10,000 families, and have made available nearly three million days of lodging to family members since the program originated in 1990.