Main Street Turned into New City Stickball Field

Main Street in New City became a stickball Field of Dreams Sunday morning.

The Castle Inn, 16 S. Main St., hosted what was billed as the First Annual Stickball Home Run Derby Tournament right in front of the pub, with the "playing field" going from Congers Road to Demarest Avenue on South Main Street.

Traffic was closed on that section of South Main Street for the 8:30 a.m. tournament, which was a fundraiser to benefit local law enforcement and volunteer fire and ambulance crews. Dan Price, manager of the Castle Inn, said the tournament raised about $2,500.

The tournament was the inspiration of Jimmy Campolo, who thought the many New City residents who grew up in New York City and played stickball on city streets would jump at the chance to relive their childhood exploits.

As a result, the pub got the OK from Clarkstown to shut down a couple blocks on Main Street, where stickballed ruled during the morning. The tournment drew 17 teams — with the team from the Castle Inn, including pub owner Mike Galligan, coming up as the champion.

"It brought back a lot of memories from when they were kids," said Price. "It was also fun for people who never saw stickball before."

The tournament included music, food and a fundraising raffle. Price said the proceeds from the tournment will be presented to Clarkstown Town Supervisor Alex Gromack and Rockland County Legislature member Ed Day, R-New City, for them to distribute to organizations including the Clarkstown Police Department, the Rockland County Sheriff's Department, the New City Fire Department and the New City Volunteer Ambulance and Rescue Corps.

Rockin' Richie Lee provided music for the event, with Clarkstown Auxiliary Police officers handling traffic control.