The Greater New York Sandlot Athletic Alliance has honored Robert F. Holden, President of the Juniper Park Civic Assoc. and founder of the Midville Dodgers Baseball Program, for his longtime commitment to youth baseball and to his community.
The presentation was made at the annual Raymond F. Church Service to Youth Baseball Awards on Monday, December 4th, 2006 at Roma View Caterers.
Other honorees were John P. Franco, St. John’s University pitching star, former New York Mets standout and future Baseball Hall of Fame candidate, for his contributions to youth baseball in Staten Island, and William H. Bellas, Vice President of the Queens Kiwanis Sports Association and Commissioner of the Queens Kiwanis Baseball League.
Guest Speaker was Joe Russo, former Head Coach of the St. John’s University Baseball Team, and Member of the Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame.
A proclamation declaring December 4th to be “Robert Holden Day” was signed by State Senator Serphin Maltese and Congressman Anthony Weiner. Speakers noted that Councilman Dennis Gallagher refused to sign it.
