Following an hour of warm-up, and just after P.A. plays of “Centerfold” and “Summer of ‘69,” plus, the National Anthem live-performed by Town of Smithtown Public Information Officer Nicole Gargiulo, one elected took to the mic to emphatically say, “play ball!”
The free baseball/softball clinic “Field of Heroes” event, held on Sunday, August 21, brought noted officials like Senator Mario R. Mattera and Town of Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim together with an esteemed roster of former professional ballplayers. Everyone on-hand shared a common goal- a simple but necessary mission aimed at each one of the 500 kids, ages 5-18, in attendance: “put down your phones, and pick up a glove.”
“This is the best pastime. This is the best thing for us. This is the best thing for our community,” said Senator Mattera, while speaking at the podium set-up at Field 1 – “Indian Head” home plate. Behind him: a key group of officials proud to support the occasion, including Assemblyman Mike Fitzpatrick, District Attorney Ray Tierney, and former Congressman Peter King, among others.
The Sunny Sunday-set festivities were held on the grounds of the state-of-the-art, 4-turf field complex at Daniel J. Flynn Memorial Park in Commack. The event was organized in conjunction with local school coaches and ex-pro athletes uniform-representing 11 Major League clubs.
After a successful first year at the helm of Hofstra University Baseball in which he took the Pride to their first NCAA tournament in program history, Smithtown’s own Frank Catalanotto (adorned in his familiar Toronto Blue Jays wear above) served as lead instructor. Running the show alongside him: Art Shamsky, Oreste Marrero, John Doherty, Sal Agostinelli, Frank Tepedino, Fred Cambria, Adam Greenberg, Charles Galiano, Rick Schmidt, Keith Osik and Don DeMola. Each instructor was able to spend their Sunday passing their love of the game and Long Island alike to up-and-comers with dreams of also taking their passions to the highest levels one day.
“Being able to help promote the game of baseball to some local young players with other former Major Leaguers was really cool,” Catalanotto told The Messenger. “The MLB alumni does a great job with these clinics. The turnout was great and everyone seemed to have a fun time.”
Panico’s Community Market cooked for over 1,000 people – including various members of the military who have benefited from, and participated in Donato Panico’s “Heros for Our Heroes” initiative. This Terry Road, Smithtown-based non-profit has provided free meals to Veterans, first-responders, firefighters, policemen and healthcare workers since 9/11.
“There is really nothing more gratifying as an elected official, than to witness hundreds of families enjoying such a memorable experience,” said Supervisor Ed Werheim. The supervisor, a Vietnam War veteran, also opened with remarks about his personal connection to the field’s namesake. His friend, Daniel J. Flynn, was an aspiring professional baseball player before dying at the age of 20 just three weeks after deploying to Vietnam in 1968. The late Kings Park native was a member of the 725th Military Police Battalion, C Company.
“He was a great ballplayer,” Wehrheim reflected. “He was scouted by the St. Louis Cardinals. We played ball together since we were 3, 4 years old… it’s only fitting today that we’re here honoring Danny Flynn. And you can bet he is up there looking down.”
During the opening ceremony, Senator Mattera and Assemblyman Fitzpatrick recognized Smithtown High School West’s Gianna Cangro for her Heros 4 Our Heroes fundraising accomplishments. She raised $2,700, and the pair of elected officials introducing her, along with the community at large, couldn’t have been any prouder.
“I got a bunch of vendors together through a street fair at my school. It was just a great time, and it’s going back to a great organization, and I’m so happy to be giving it back to the Veterans,” said Cangro.
Field of Heroes sponsors included: Major League Baseball, Chick Fil-A, New York Life, Enterprise Rental Car, Suffolk PBA, NYPD, NYPD PBA, Ferguson Plumbing, Plumbers Local 200, The International Union of Operating Engineers, Tile Marble Terrazzo Union #7, the Building and Construction Trades Council, Benit Fuel Services, Steamfitters Local 638, Tom McCarthy, Supervisor Werheim, Senator Mattera and Town Clerk Vincent Puleo.
In times of turmoil, sometimes the spotlight can be taken away from those we’ve committed to provide a better future to – particularly, the kids of America. But on Sunday, the day was truly theirs. And no one could ever take it away from them.
