Empire State Games news, notes, results

View from Buffalo

LONG ISLAND A LONG SHOT

Venerable Bob Kenney, the 75-year-old regional director of Long Island's team, said during Wednesday night's Opening Ceremonies that he wasn't overly optimistic about L.I.'s chances of hosting the Games again. The event was on L.I. in 1999 and Kenney said, "We put on a great show - mostly at Hofstra and Stony Brook."

But economic times have changed, Kenney acknowledged, and he also noted, "Golf takes up so much attention on the Island. There's only a certain time [ESG] can fit into the schedule. There's too much doing on Long Island."

Kenney added, "I'd love to see it come back in my lifetime, but it's a real if."

Because of the economy, Kenney said the ESG is not looking to add sports. But he confirmed what Newsday had heard recently about a proposal to make 7-on-7 football part of the Games. "It was on the list, with a bunch of others. Just not practical right now."BATTERY POWER

Because of the success the pitcher-catcher combination of Rich Vrana and Mike Roehrig had in leading Lindenhurst to a 27-1 record and its first AA state baseball crown last spring, scholastic baseball coach Ben Bonaventura started the duo in the opener against Central. Vrana was 9-0 when Roehrig was his catcher this season, and their success continued, albeit without a victory. Vrana pitched seven strong innings, allowing just one earned run, but left with the score tied. L.I. went on to win, 5-3, in 10 innings.

TRACK AND FIELD