It was a Catholic setting for some Jewish playoffs.
For the fifth year, the New York area’s Jewish Community Little League, which calls itself the only Shomer Shabbat Williamsport Little League franchise in the country, held its playoff games at the Red Storm Field of St. John’s University in Fresh Meadows, Queens.
Under sunny skies, in front of cheering spectators, champions of three divisions — intermediate, prep and junior — were crowned. Rory Lancman, who represents the 25th Assembly District, threw out the ceremonial first pitch.
Thirty-four teams and more than 400 players compete in the 40-year-old league, whose volunteer leaders are Marc Katz and Myron Rubin.
The JCLL (www.jewishbaseball.org) follows standard Little League rules, but some headgear — like the third-base umpire, at top — have a uniquely Jewish flavor. Some players, at center, show their pitching and hitting style, and teammates, at bottom, follow the action from the dugout.
