Health Plus - Health Plus – A Grand Slam With The Kids

For Immediate Release

Health Plus – A Grand Slam With The Kids
Free Youth Little League Begins Enrollment

Media Inquiries:Kathryn Soman (718) 491-7493
Customer Inquiries: Marketing Department (888) 809-8009

New York, New York - April 29, 2005 — Once again, Health Plus, the Police Athletic League, and the City of New York’s Parks & Recreation Department are teaming up to present the 2005 Health Plus Citywide Youth Baseball League, a free program for boys and girls ages 5 to 12, and boys only, ages 13-15. Last year, over 1,400 young athletes participated on 98 teams in 13 parks throughout the city. This year promises to draw an even bigger group of boys and girls. The free program runs from June 25th through the end of August.

The June 25th opening game will mark the beginning of a competitive season that will conclude with the championship game, after which Roberto Clemente Jr. will present the winning team with the Roberto Clemente Cup.

“Health Plus is delighted to partner again with PAL and the Dept. of Recreation to give the children in our communities a chance to play ball,” says Health Plus League organizer Luis Ramos. “We’re proud that our league provides so many children with healthy and fun summer recreation, while encouraging self esteem and keeping them off the streets. And we encourage all parents and guardians to volunteer their time to help make their child’s little league experience the best it can be.”

In order to enroll, you must bring a copy of your child’s or teen’s birth certificate and a recent proof of address (gas, light or phone bill as proof of residence). If your child or teen has a medical issue, please ask their physician to provide a consent release form

Enrollment dates are Saturday, May 7 & 14, 11am-2pm, unless noted. Please check your desired site carefully for dates & times. Registration for the league will be held at the following locations:

Manhattan	J. Hood Wrignt Recreation Center 351 Ft Washington Avenue New York, NY 10033 Telephone: (212)927-1563 Contact person: Orlando Sanders
Brooklyn	Metropolitan Pool Recreation Center 261 Bedford Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11211 Telephone: (718)599-5707 Contact person: Don Hayes H. Von King Recreation Center 670 Lafayette Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11221 Telephone: (718)622-2082 Contact person: Edwin Llopiz St Johns Recreation Center 1251 Prospect Place Brooklyn, NY 11213 Telephone: (718)771-2143 Contact person: Issac Deberry Brownsville Recreation Center 1555 Linden Blvd Brooklyn, NY 11212 Telephone: (718)485-4633 Contact person: Darryl Glenn Redhook Recreation Center 155 Bay Street Brooklyn, NY 11231 Telephone: (718)722-3211 Contact person: Morris Nelson Sunset Recreation Center 43rd Street & 44th Street and 7th Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11220 Telephone: (718)965-6533 Contact person: Jose Rivas Health Plus Office 241 37th Street Suite 412 Brooklyn, NY 11232 Telephone: (718)491-7429/8357 Contact persons:Luis Ramos & Daniel Ostolaza
Queens	Sorrentino Recreation Center 1848 Cornaga Avenue Far-Rockaway, NY 11691 Telephone: (718)471-4818 Contact person: Bernard Robinson
Bronx	St Mary Recreation Center 450 St. Ann Avenue Bronx, NY 10455 Telephone: (718)402-5155 Contact person: G. Huston St James Recreation Center 2530 Jerome Avenue Bronx, NY 10468 Telephone: (718)822-4271 Contact person: Kathy Walker
Staten Island	Cromwell Center Pier 6 and Hannah Street Staten Island, NY 10301 Telephone: (718)816-6172 Contact person: Mary Cali

Enrollment dates: Friday, May 13th and 20th, 3pm to 6pm

Baseball begins on June 25th for all league teams.

# # #

Health Plus, a not-for-profit, multi-cultural organization, is one of the fastest growing managed care organizations in New York City. It was established in 1984 with a commitment to provide coordinated quality health care and improving access to health care for uninsured and underserved families. In its annual review of managed care plans, the New York State Department of Health ranked Health Plus as the top plan for quality in its 2002 and 2003 "Consumer's Guide to Medicaid Managed Care in New York City." Health Plus is New York City's leading provider of Child Health Plus, a New York State Department of Health program that offers parents FREE or low-cost health insurance for children under the age of 19. "CRAIN'S New York Business" magazine ranked Health Plus fifth among the largest health maintenance organizations in the New York area.