Gioia, YMCA All-Stars Visit Shea

City Councilmember Eric Gioia and a group of Gioia-YMCA All-Star Baseball League players attended Mets batting practice recently.

City Councilmember Eric Gioia recently accompanied a group of Gioia- YMCA All-Stars to Shea Stadium to watch the Mets batting practice. The young Little Leaguers watched in awe as the major league baseball stars warmed up. They were invited by the Mets to stay for the game that followed. Based at Queensbridge Park, the Gioia-YMCA All-Stars league serves Long Island City, including the neighborhoods of Queensbridge, Ravenswood, and Dutch Kills.

"Bringing youth baseball to Queensbridge is one of my proudest accomplishments," Gioia, who represents Long Island City, Astoria, Sunnyside, Woodside, and Maspeth, said. "It's such a thrill to see these young athletes' eyes widen as they watch some of the best baseball players in the world play a sport they are just learning."

Tom Sylvester, director of adult and youth sports programs at the Long Island City YMCA, who is directing the Gioia- YMCA All-Star league, said, "The YMCA is proud to be partnering with Councilmember Gioia for a sixth season, bringing a sports program to the community. This is a fantastic league for the kids of Queensbridge and Ravenswood and all of Long Island City, and I'm honored to be a part of this inspiring program."

Councilmember Eric Gioia (l.) and Mets shortstop and National League All-Star Jose Reyes posed with a group of Gioia-YMCA All-Stars at Shea Stadium.