Governor David Paterson throws out the first pitch to Garden City’s Matthew Mohen. The young Garden City Bombers RBI team played in the first New York Governor’s tee ball game in Albany on Monday July 26. Governor David Patterson threw out the “first pitch”. There was a regulation tee ball field set up across the street from the Executive Mansion, with many local television networks there, and many dignitaries. Our young baseball stars traveled all the way from Long Island for their first “road trip”, staying in the Albany Crown Plaza Hotel. The opposing team was from Albany, with players coming from the Albany neighborhood in the area of the Mansion itself. After the game, the Bombers players went across the street to the Executive Mansion Governor Paterson hosted them for lunch. The boys were then treated to a tour of the Mansion, where they learned about the Mansion’s former residents, including former presidents Grover Cleveland, Teddy Roosevelt, and FDR.

Governor Paterson applauds Garden City Bombers team during introductions, along with Albany Baseball Coach Len Richutti and Garden City Coach Joe Mohen The Garden City Bombers are part of the Major League Baseball program Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI), presented by KMPG. The Garden City Bombers teams are composed of half boys from Garden City, and other players from surrounding neighborhoods. Our baseball stars included Joey Frandina, Javont Boose, Thomas Boland, Daniel Hernandez-Arroyo, Darren Williams, Isaiah Green, Matthew Busch, Michael Busch, Matthew Mohen, and William Welch, who are from Garden City, Roosevelt, Hempstead, and Rockville Centre.

The festivities for the boys began last Saturday at Community Park, when Senator Kemp Hannon, who arranged for the Bombers to go to Albany, led the crowd in a sendoff and bon voyage celebration. Sunday the team enjoyed the sights in Albany, but most of all the hotel pool.

Isaiah Green and Matthew Mohen, just after the first pitch Monday morning the arrived at the field for pre-game warm-ups. They were greeted by Albany Mayor Gerald D. Jennings, and the staff of Senator Hannon. It was exciting for the boys, as many local television stations were also there. Governor Patterson greeted the boys, and explained that he is fond of our area, and once lived in Hempstead himself. After a pledge of allegiance, Governor Patterson threw out the first ball to Garden City’s own Matthew Mohen, who was donned in full catchers gear. Afterwards, Tommy Boland and Javont Boose presented Governor Patterson with a ball autographed by our visiting team. The game featured many great base hits, and defensive gems, and the Bombers played very well.

The Garden City Bombers Back at the Mansion lunch was prepared by the Governor’s Chef, on the Mansion Porch and side lawn. Tommy Boland got to meet the Governor’s dog “Cheerio.” During the tour, the boys got to see the indoor swimming pool, built in a green house just for FDR, see a pear tree which goes back to the 1800, see FDR’s ash tray and wooden wheel chair, and the Governor’s television and music collection.

For more information about the Long Island RBI Program, contact GCBombers

@aol.com, call 637 8644, visit http://mlb.

mlb.com/mlb/official_info/community/rbi.jsp or the Long Island RBI Facebook fan page.

Back Row, left to right: Coaches Bob Boland, Javont Boose, Governor David Paterson, Coach Joe Mohen. Middle Row: Isaiah Green, Joey Frandina, Darren Williams, William Welch, Javont Boose, Matthew Mohen. Front Row: Matthew Busch, Dan Hernandez-Arroyo, Michael Busch, Tommy Boland