Volume 79, Number 45 | April 14 – 20, 2010
West and East Village, Chelsea, Soho, Noho, Little Italy, Chinatown and Lower East Side, Since 1933
In Pictures
Guitarist channels Jimi as G.V.L.L. is ready to rock
Greenwich Village Little League organizers said last Saturday’s opening day at Pier 40, at West Houston St., was their best yet. Colin Taber, a G.V.L.L. parent with two kids in the league who coached and volunteered for several years, treated the crowd with a “Purple Haze”-like version of the “Star-Spangled Banner,” top left. Listening to his guitar pyrotechnics were, in photo at top right, from left to right, William Smith and Max and Cameron Schneider. Above left, members of the A’s took it all in. The teams marched across the artificial-turf field one by one, from the youngest T-ballers to veteran hardballers. Each team’s local business sponsor was announced. It was a not-to-be-missed event for local politicians. City Councilmember Christine Quinn threw out the opening softball pitch to Zoe Militrano, above right. Quinn also called G.V.L.L., which is based in her district, the best Little League in the five boroughs. State Senator Daniel Squadron fired in the opening hardball pitch to Terrence Mallon of the Majors Division. Antonio Gomez of Spunto’s Pizza threw out the opening hardball pitch for younger divisions to Emilio Picayo. Congressmember Jerrod Nadler was also on hand for the festivities for the first time, as were perennial G.V.L.L. fans Assemblymember Deborah Glick and Borough President Scott Stringer. Community Board 2 fielded two representatives, Jo Hamilton, the board’s chairperson, and District Manager Bob Gormley. Friends of Hudson River Park made a strong showing, with Executive Director A.J. Pietrantone, Deputy Director Matthew Washington and board members Ross Graham and Susanna Aarons all out on the pier. Jon Bennett, the founder of G.V.L.L. 26 years ago, made an appearance. And don’t forget Mr. Met, the Mets mascot, and Huck, the Staten Island Yankees mascot; of course they were there. Everyone said Laurie Usher hit a home run with her efforts as opening day coordinator, making sure all the volunteers knew their roles. Spunto Pizza and the Brass Monkey bar were opening day sponsors.
