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At a ceremony on the steps of City Hall Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today honored the members of the Bronx Little League baseball team for their 3^rd Place finish in the 2001 Little League World Series, and for capturing the Mid-Atlantic Championship title. The Mayor presented each player and the team's managers with keys to the City. The Mayor also issued a proclamation naming the day "Rolando Paulino All-Stars Day" in New York City.

Joining the Mayor for the celebration were Kenneth J. Podziba, Commissioner, New York City Sports Commission; Steve Keener, President and CEO, Little League Baseball; Bob Tisch, Co-Chairman of the Loews Corporation and Chairman and Co-Founder of Take the Field; Eddy Bayardelle, 1^st Vice President of Global Philanthropy, Merrill Lynch; Fernando Ferrer, Bronx Borough President; and Bill Modell, Chairman, Modell's Sporting Goods. Curt Menefee, Sports Anchor for Fox 5 News, served as Master of Ceremony.

"I could not be more proud of this team," the Mayor said. "They played their hearts out throughout the Series, and created a tremendous sense of excitement that captured the imagination of all New Yorkers. But above all else, the team conducted themselves as good sportsmen which, for athletes, is about the highest praise that they could ever receive."

"Our beloved Baby Bombers ignited our City with tremendous enthusiasm and excitement during the Little League World Series," said Commissioner Podziba. "They played with passion and dignity and showed us the true meaning of sportsmanship. Now it's our turn to show how much we love and appreciate them! "We were delighted to have the Rolando Paulino Little League team in Williamsport," said Mr. Keener. "They conducted themselves with good sportsmanship and class."

"Take the Field is proud to have built a $3 million "field of dreams" at South Bronx High School, which is one of the 52 New York City high school athletic facilities that we are building over the next 3 years," said Mr. Tisch. "We are pleased that this facility includes a home field for the Rolando Paulino Little League, which will allow them to soar to even greater heights. The Rolando Paulino team is a shining example of the importance of athletics in education - and the reason we founded Take the Field, to provide our children with safe, well constructed outdoor playing fields."

"Our support of these young ball players is an investment in the future," said Bayardelle. "As we've seen from their performance in the Little League World Series, the Baby Bronx Bombers have learned at a young age one very important lesson in life: By developing their talent and working hard, their dreams can come true. We're proud to have helped them and look forward to continuing our philanthropic efforts on behalf of underserved children and youth around the world."

"I would like to thank Mayor Giuliani, the City of New York, and all of the fans that have been behind us from the very beginning," said Mr.Paulino, the team's coach and founder. "It really feels great to know that while other teams had the support of friends and family, we had the support of an entire city."

Team manager Alberto Gonzalez, and coach Rolando Torres were also on hand for the ceremony, as were all the ball players of the twelve--member team.

Bill Modell presented each team member with a $200 gift certificate to Modell's Sporting Goods store.

The Bronx team captured third place in the Little League World Series by beating Curacao, Netherlands Antilles 9-1 on Sunday at South Williamsport, Pennsylvania. They also captured the 2001 Mid-Atlantic Championship title. The Bronx team was only the fourth one from New York and the first from outside Staten Island to make it to the Little League World Series.

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