82 THE QUEENS COURIER • JUNE 13, 2013 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com sports AMERICAN SOFTBALL BACK SWINGING “THE WIRE” ACTORS PAINTBALL FOR A CAUSE Paintball for a cause BY CHARLES OSBORN [email protected] Charity and competition were one and the same at the Fourth Annual Moving Mountains Celebrity Paintball Tournament. The Monday, June 3 event raised money for Moving Mountains, a charity founded by Brooklyn native Jamie Hector, star of television shows including “The Wire” and “Heroes.” The non-profit organization, which launched in 2008, aims to help innercity children find their artistic voice through film or stage acting. “The aim of the organization is to show children that, with faith, you can move any mountain,” Hector said. “Moving Mountains teaches youth to build on their skills, talents and abilities with character. Ultimately, we want to help them find success in acting so they can return and give back to their communities.” So why paintball? “We really wanted to do something fun,” he said. “Fundraisers are often suit and tie events, but this is the fourth year we have been doing a paintball tournament and it’s just plain fun.” The tournament was held at Indoor Extreme Sports in Long Island City. Along with a 10,000-square-foot paintball course, it offers laser tag and archery tag. The facility is run by Peter and Michele Formoselle, who recently added a simulated zombie survival scenario on Friday nights to their list of services. “All the proceeds from the tournament go towards Moving Mountains,” said Peter Formoselle. “We don’t advertise it, but the tournament still draws about 20 teams with more than 100 participants.” Along with Hector, celebrities at the event included “Wire” castmates Felicia Pearson, Isiah Whitlock Jr. and J.D. Williams, among other actors. Moving Mountains will host its third annual Honors Benefit on June 11 at the Hasted Kraeutler Gallery in Manhattan. This year, honorees include Harlem Children’s Zone president and CEO Geoffrey Canada and Hall of Fame football player Curtis Martin along with musician and actor Bryan Greenberg. American Softball in its second season BY TERENCE M. CULLEN [email protected] Randy Novick asked which hand the player threw with. He held up his left hand, which was already gripping a softball. Novick, patient and personable, found a glove that fit. As he adjusted it for the player’s hand, Novick recalled a visit to the man’s group home and how much he had enjoyed it. It was just another Saturday as American Softball entered its second full season after Novick revived it last year. The league works with five group homes for mentally disabled people throughout Queens. There are about 50 players who all get a chance to hit, run the bases and play the field. “The players are just happy to play because the rules are, there are no rules,” he said. “It’s nice to get to see the players do something they normally wouldn’t do.” This year, it was easier to get started for Novick. Last season, he had problems finding a field and getting funding. He said he hopes the league can one day expand citywide or even across the country. American Softball, a Saturday program for the developmentally disabled, is in its second season with a growing number of members. THE COURIER/Photo by Terence M. Cullen Novick, a Howard Beach resident, credited State Senator Joseph Addabbo and Councilmember Eric Ulrich for supporting his efforts. The organizer recruited coaches from counselors to childhood friends who wanted to lend a hand. Addison John, a counselor at Services for the UnderServed, said clients normally start looking forward to the game by the middle of the week. Services for the UnderServed provides support for individuals with mental illness and other challenges. “They love it,” John said. “As Friday comes, they’re ready to go.” The coaches include Dore DeQuattro, a musician and lifelong friend of Novick’s. DeQuattro said he has enjoyed being able to give personal attention to the players. He added while his band regularly plays for the developmentally disabled, the league lets him get to work with individuals on a one-on-one basis. “I just love these guys,” he said. “I love to give them a little extra personal attention.” League aims to help developmentally disabled
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