Softball Injustice : FIGHT THE POWER!!!!!!!!

I would like to thank Nick Ross, manager and player, of Brother Jimmy's in the Big Apple League http://esportsdesk.com/leagues/front_pageesd.cfm?clientID=1322&leagueID=2106 , for providing the breaking news (see information below) on the The Queensboro Oval , under 59th Street Softball field. The field was awkward and had a unique clay surface but the competition under the lights was excellent/fun when old school umpire Angelo ran a league there. Teams like DEA, Wolf Pack, Sensational Shop, Cardinals, and Mo's Tavern fielded strong ball clubs and as a player you looked forward to playing games after work there. The league fell apart when illegal modified pitchers like Millo and John Brown titled the competitive balance.I know the field is still used for pickup, Co-Ed and Yorkville games and more importantly it would be a shame for Manhattan to lose another softball fields as there are so few fields currently available.

Please review the information below and attend if possible:

Parks for People Not for Profit

Mayor Bloomberg’s “Green Campaign” along with help from Betsey Johnson of the City parks Department is selling public open space to private businessmen. The Queensboro Oval, below the 59th Street Bridge has been a home to ball players, families, dog walkers and children learning to ride bikes for over 40 years. Countless people use it and want to continue to do so. They are being denied this community privilege because a greedy sole proprietor has offered the city money for the space and because the city, OUR CITY, has agreed to sell our public outdoor space.
It began with a for profit tennis club enclosing the park in a bubble for 6 months of the year when the space was too cold to be enjoyed by the public. Years later, the bubble remained for 8 months. We are now in a battle to preserve the remaining 4 months of the year for the people of this community and this city.
THIS COMMUNITY HAS THE LEAST AMOUNT OF OPEN SPACE IN THE CITY. THERE ARE MORE TENNIS COURTS THAN BALL FIELDS IN THIS CITY. THE TENNIS CLUB CHARGES OVER $150/HOUR WHICH MOST COMMUNITY MEMBERS CAN NOT AFFORD. PRIVATIZATION OF OUR SCARCE, PUBLIC, OUTDOOR SPACES IS UNCONSCIONABLE. IT IS AT ITS MOST BASIC LEVEL, A CONTRADICTION. PUBLIC - PRIVATE? COVER AN OPEN SPACE WITH A BUBBLE?

DO NOT LET THIS HAPPEN!!!!!!!!!

To help, attend the meeting at Hunter, 129 E. 79th Street, on

February 18th, 6pm.
Write to your local representatives and oppose this reprehensible change

Jacqueline Ludorf 505 Park Avenue
Chair Suite 620
New York, N.Y. 10022
Latha Thompson (212) 758-4340
District Manager (212) 758-4616 (Fax)
www.cb8m.com Website
info@cb8m.com - E-Mail

The City of New York
Manhattan Community Board 8

Official Government Notice
Please Do Not Remove Until February 19, 2010

Parks Committee

Public Hearing

RE: Queensboro Oval: Update on the Parks Dept.'s plans to convert this dual tennis-softball facility to an all-tennis center.

Date: Thursday, February 18, 2010

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Place: Hunter School of Social Work
129 East 79th Street, Hexter Lounge

Anyone with an interest in this matter is encouraged to attend.

Margaret Price and Barbara Rudder
Co-Chairs