Welcome to the NY Co-Ed Oakland Gardens Softball Meetup Group 2010 & Beyond.

We are 350+ members STRONG. Thanks for your participation and making this a really GREAT group!

I want to introduce myself & re-welcome new & existing members to our Softball Meetup Group based in Oakland Gardens in Bayside Queens.

We are a diverse co-ed group of like minded softball die-hards, players, novices, fans and fanatics. We welcome all of you to join us and have a good time at our events.

I want to take this opportunity to THANK our Founder "DON" from the BRONX known warmly by our group as "DONNIE BASEBALL" for all that he's done since he started this meetup group in the Summer of 2007. Don has shown his generosity during the past 3 summers & I commend him for all that he's given to the group. Good luck Don in whatever you do next and we hope to see you occasionally in OG's.

During that summer of 2007, my first experience was meeting DonY, BillyM, MikeA & CarlosV in July, all of whom I say with pleasure are still active in this group.

Jack "The Glove" - really stepped up the following year (2008) and created weekday meetups for "PRACTICE" that many of our members enjoyed attending and have gotten better as a result. Honorable Mention goes to JohnM and JamesY who all assisted Jack in his week night meetups.

EmilyF - "Everyone loves Emmy" is our groups true blue : cheerleader, fan, player & glue! Please find us on FaceBook. Emily runs the FB site and be sure you join. Here is the link:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=6799247...

In 2010 - Captain Jack O'H (the most youthful 70 y.o. I know) stepped up as our voluntary on-field registrar for check-ins and member pay before play donations. Thank you Captain for your tireless efforts and love of people and sports.

In addition to our softball meets, we have hosted bowling & pool parties during the off season as our group has become tighter and friendships have blossomed throughout the year.

I want to reiterate - that this meetup group is strictly for fun. As competitive as I am personally, I think the core group knows that it's all about having a good time when you attend our events.

There should be absolutely no place for disruptive behavior, arguments & fights, and the organizers and assistants will not tolerate them. Let's all act maturely and I guarantee we'll get along. If you're not happy about something, please feel free to write to me privately.

There will be a "Sunday Only" collection of $1 minimum per playing member & $2 per guest(s) that should go to Cap'n Jack or one of the others in the Leadership Team and then to CarlosV or Rob. Please note this will be used for miscellaneous meetup membership fees, equipment as needed and social events we host during the Summer & Fall i.e. BBQ's etc.

We meet generally in one of the following 3 fields:

1) PS 213 Carl Ullman School (usually when it rains the days preceeding a meetup date)

2) Peck Field - located mainly on Underhill Road & 190th Street (west of the Blue Bay Diner)

3) Alley Pond @ Springfield/76th Street usually before and after soccer season

PS: The back up concrete field is Holy Cow Park located behind St Francis Prep HS off Francis Lewis Blvd (south of the LIE-495)

Thank you for your support and I look forward in meeting you many times during the course of 2010 and beyond.

Best Regards

"ROB"

Meetup Organizer - Updated March 2010