Little League "Majors" Championship Hit 6-27-09

The above video was shot this past weekend at Firefighter's Field on Roosevelt Island and really gives you a feel for what playing at this field feels like (given its less than one minute) with the Riverwalk Buldings towering over the outfield. I hope to find a video of what it looked like before Southtown started being built.

Direct YouTube link by Jcalenberg

PSD Arrests Little Leaguer's Father In Front of Kids; "Enough Blame to Go All Around"

It what has to be one of the most unfortunate incidents I can remember in the few years I have lived on Roosevelt Island a local parent was arrested by a PSD officer, at a Little League game at Capobianco Field, in front of not only his son but all the kids who were hoping to complete their game. The worst part about it is that from all accounts it never had to come to that.

I will not try to summarize all the facts but direct you to a Main Street WIRE article that is still under preparation for the next issue regarding the incident.

Michael Shinozaki, local resident, former and expected future member of the RIOC Board, who witnessed the events as they unfolded had the following to say (as quoted in the aforementioned WIRE article):

"There is so much blame to go around that it isn't funny," Shinozaki said. "They should have called the game [when time ran out]. RIOC didn't have the field prepared. The parents should not have been rabble- rousing. Public Safety escalated the situation. The only one with no blame in all this are the kids, and they are the ones who were ultimately hurt. They'll end up with a negative view of Public Safety, of government, and an upset memory about their summer baseball fun. They are the only ones who were really hurt."

All I can say is that Saturday was a sad day for all parties involved.