Family Fun Day a hit

Levittown, Seaford and Wantagh Sports held its annual Family Fun Day at Cuomo Field on Alken Avenue in Seaford on June 13.

The event wrapped up a baseball season that started in mid-April. It featured the league championships for the Minor, Farm and Major divisions. Complimentary food and beverages were available for the teams and families, as well as bounce houses for children to enjoy.

“This is a fantastic day for family and friends to come together,” said league co-President Peter Gaglio. He says that more than 100 volunteers helped make the day possible.

Gaglio has only been co-president for a few months, but has been involved with LSW Sports since 2005. He currently has a 10-year-old involved in the program.

He estimated that roughly 500 kids participate in the LSW Sports program. “With more options out there for the kids with lacrosse and soccer, the numbers are slowly decreasing,” he said, “however Little Leagues everywhere are seeing the same thing happen.”

In order to keep interest in the program, Don Boyce, LSW administrator, says the league makes an effort to organize better events.

Trophy Movie Night is an event that has recently been introduced to the program. Last year was the first of its existence and, according to Boyce, the night was a success. This year’s Trophy Movie Night will be held on Friday.

“Trophy Movie Night is a great night for the kids,” Gaglio says. “Everyone for each division comes out and watches a movie projected in the outfield and then gets honored with a trophy for participating in this year’s league.”

The LSW Sports program offers various clinics throughout the year. Coming up, it will be offering clinics starting in July for ages 6 through 13. The program also offers competitive summer travel teams that play throughout the northeast region.

Along with the regular baseball season, the program also offers a “Pitch, Hit, and Run” competition. Gaglio says contestants must attempt to pitch and hit a target, run as fast as they can between first and second base, and attempt to hit baseballs as far as they can off a tee.

Last year, 8-year-old Joseph Thatcher advanced to and won the statewide competition held at Citi Field. As a result, he was selected to compete in the nationwide competition at Target Field prior to the MLB Homerun Derby.

Thatcher says his favorite part was shagging one of the Todd Frazier’s hits during the derby.