BOBBY UMSTADT - BOBBY "U" OF
Bobby U passed away in the summer of 2025 after a long bout with cancer. Despite facing a great tragedy in his younger days, Bobby carried on bravely and was always there to help others.
. He was a solid opposite field hitter who knew the game well.
Towards the end of his life he found out that he had a family living down south that he never knew about. He was able to get to know them and it gave him great joy.
. He was a solid opposite field hitter who knew the game well.
Towards the end of his life he found out that he had a family living down south that he never knew about. He was able to get to know them and it gave him great joy.
JOHN HOWE 1B, 2B
On Apr 7, 2025,
Our hearts will all be broken by this but the Mick passed away this morning. Pat called me. He had pneumonia and deteriorated rapidly. Went on ventilator. His organs started shutting down and the family decided to let him go. He’s in the big stadium now playing with the guys in pinstripes. May he rest in peace.
Stan
Such sad news; he showed so much courage, humor, grace, and humility. He will be sorely missed. Bob
Very sad news today, I can't recall a time when John wasn't smiling. He was one of the few players that had more bats than I had. I can see Mick trying out the "Torpedo Bat" in heaven's pick up game.
Dave S
John was so courageous and admirable. The world is in a much worse place without him.
Evan
Very upsetting news.
Mike
That is just too sad.
Ira
Such sad news. He was a good man. He went through so much.
Gary W
SUCH SAD NEWS HE WILL BE MISSED BY ALL
Fran
Oh no. What a fighter... an inspiration. What a guy! He will be missed.
Ed A
Oh no! Terrible news. Such a wonderful friend. So glad I visited him last July and met Pat.
His humor was always there, as sharp and funny as ever.
Loved meeting him just after 7 am on Saturday softball. We ran, talked and laughed. And he was a very good athlete.
Will miss him always.
Farewell to The Mick.
Tedd
Really sorry to hear this. “Mick” was the first player to go out of his way to welcome me to the league and allowed me my first pregame toss. The man suffered from so many maladies and yet continued to show. Rest in peace, John, you were a class act.
Alan Z.
John was the nicest, kindest, gentlest person, you'd ever want to meet. But he was also the bravest person I ever encountered. Despite his incredibly difficult health situation, he kept on playing, was always upbeat and fun to be around.
His stories about his experiences at Yankee Fantasy camps, inspired me to try it, As a result, I had amongst the most fun and memorable times of may life.
You will be so sorely missed.
Gary L.
ALAN GRODIN RF, 2B
Alan Grodin, rest in peace
by Eric the Uniform
I met Alan through Great Neck softball.
At the plate, Alan had a very determined, compact swing. Wherever he hit the ball, it usually arrived in a hurry.
That should have meant: if you fielded the ball cleanly at third,or shortstop, you’d have adequate time to throw Alan out at first. But that wasn’t the case.
Alan broke for first quickly. Though his feet did not rise more than six inches off the ground, Alan was deceptively fast.
In right field, Alan was less self assured. Pop flies, that were slightly out of reach, elicited an expression of shock.
Alan looked like he had just discovered a utility bill in his coat pocket, one that he had meant to mail, but that he had, somehow, neglected to drop in the mailbox (a month ago)!!
He was much better suited to play second base. His reflexes were good and there was much less time to panic!
As I said, I met Alan through Great Neck softball, but I got to know him through the “Breakfast club.”
This was a weekly breakfast that the “B” field players religiously held. It grew in importance after they, one by one, aged out of actually playing softball.
In Chaucer’s THE CANTERBURY TALES, there is a pilgrim called the “Oxford Cleric.” Chaucer describes him this way:
"Gladly would he learn and gladly teach.”
That was Alan.
He was always reading something and he was always anxious to share his intellectual excitement.
He was taking courses dedicated to the understanding of great books, even as his health was rapidly deteriorating.
“GLADLY WOULD HE LEARN AND GLADLY TEACH” would have made a fitting epitaph for our friend, Alan.
When Steven Seidman informed the Breakfast Club that the Annual road trip—planned for ST. Louis (in late September)—needed to be moved up to early June, I read further. Steven thought that Alan might not be up to the rigors of travel by September.
I wanted to go for one reason: I wanted to see what I might learn from Alan, about facing the “great beyond.”
He had just finished a course on Dostoyevsky’s CRIME AND PUNISHMENT.
Before the trip to St. Louis, I read the novel, read a biography of Dostoyevsky, and (ever the overachiever) even read the Spark Notes!
I was ready to engage Alan on the subject of the novel and hoped that we might touch upon other more personal topics as well.
Unfortunately, a series of mishaps prevented Alan from making the trip to St. Louis.
When I got back from the trip, I made arrangements to visit Alan at his home. We got together only five weeks ago.
Barbara set out snacks and Alan and I retired to his “study.” We talked about CRIME AND PUNISHMENT.
After about ten minutes, we eased into personal matters. I talked about selling my business and Alan talked about how he had navigated the sale of his business.
He talked about the relationships that he had formed with business students he had mentored.
“Gladly would he learn and gladly teach.” There it was again, a recurring theme.
I spent some time with their current large rescue dog, a very reluctant friend, but one worth, patiently, getting to know.
Alan was tuckered out. He politely excused himself and shuffled off to take a nap.
I don’t know if Alan had many team’s baseball caps, but when Gary Levinthal posted the picture (seen above), and I saw Alan wearing the Cardinals cap, I thought to myself:
“Isn’t that just perfect:
St Louis, after all.”
by Eric Tosky
Alan passed away at the end of November 2023. RIP He will be greatly missed.
by Eric the Uniform
I met Alan through Great Neck softball.
At the plate, Alan had a very determined, compact swing. Wherever he hit the ball, it usually arrived in a hurry.
That should have meant: if you fielded the ball cleanly at third,or shortstop, you’d have adequate time to throw Alan out at first. But that wasn’t the case.
Alan broke for first quickly. Though his feet did not rise more than six inches off the ground, Alan was deceptively fast.
In right field, Alan was less self assured. Pop flies, that were slightly out of reach, elicited an expression of shock.
Alan looked like he had just discovered a utility bill in his coat pocket, one that he had meant to mail, but that he had, somehow, neglected to drop in the mailbox (a month ago)!!
He was much better suited to play second base. His reflexes were good and there was much less time to panic!
As I said, I met Alan through Great Neck softball, but I got to know him through the “Breakfast club.”
This was a weekly breakfast that the “B” field players religiously held. It grew in importance after they, one by one, aged out of actually playing softball.
In Chaucer’s THE CANTERBURY TALES, there is a pilgrim called the “Oxford Cleric.” Chaucer describes him this way:
"Gladly would he learn and gladly teach.”
That was Alan.
He was always reading something and he was always anxious to share his intellectual excitement.
He was taking courses dedicated to the understanding of great books, even as his health was rapidly deteriorating.
“GLADLY WOULD HE LEARN AND GLADLY TEACH” would have made a fitting epitaph for our friend, Alan.
When Steven Seidman informed the Breakfast Club that the Annual road trip—planned for ST. Louis (in late September)—needed to be moved up to early June, I read further. Steven thought that Alan might not be up to the rigors of travel by September.
I wanted to go for one reason: I wanted to see what I might learn from Alan, about facing the “great beyond.”
He had just finished a course on Dostoyevsky’s CRIME AND PUNISHMENT.
Before the trip to St. Louis, I read the novel, read a biography of Dostoyevsky, and (ever the overachiever) even read the Spark Notes!
I was ready to engage Alan on the subject of the novel and hoped that we might touch upon other more personal topics as well.
Unfortunately, a series of mishaps prevented Alan from making the trip to St. Louis.
When I got back from the trip, I made arrangements to visit Alan at his home. We got together only five weeks ago.
Barbara set out snacks and Alan and I retired to his “study.” We talked about CRIME AND PUNISHMENT.
After about ten minutes, we eased into personal matters. I talked about selling my business and Alan talked about how he had navigated the sale of his business.
He talked about the relationships that he had formed with business students he had mentored.
“Gladly would he learn and gladly teach.” There it was again, a recurring theme.
I spent some time with their current large rescue dog, a very reluctant friend, but one worth, patiently, getting to know.
Alan was tuckered out. He politely excused himself and shuffled off to take a nap.
I don’t know if Alan had many team’s baseball caps, but when Gary Levinthal posted the picture (seen above), and I saw Alan wearing the Cardinals cap, I thought to myself:
“Isn’t that just perfect:
St Louis, after all.”
by Eric Tosky
Alan passed away at the end of November 2023. RIP He will be greatly missed.
VINNY BOVE
CENTERFIELD
Vinny passed away in October, 2022 at the age of 54. He was a long time regular GNSB player and one of our best. He was a five tool player who could, run, hit, throw, field and hit with power. Despite his illness Vinny would show up occasionally, coming all the way from Massapequa, and still managed to play at a very high level.
He was modest, always smiling and never had a bad word for anybody. At his wake we learned that he had won multiple EMMY awards for his work as a TV cameraman. He never bragged or talked about it, so it was the first that we had heard of it. He covered NFL games and the Olympics, amongst several other sporting events.
He would love to come to our games wearing Major League uniforms of which he had several. He was always a welcome sight. We are going to miss him greatly.
RIP VIN.
He was modest, always smiling and never had a bad word for anybody. At his wake we learned that he had won multiple EMMY awards for his work as a TV cameraman. He never bragged or talked about it, so it was the first that we had heard of it. He covered NFL games and the Olympics, amongst several other sporting events.
He would love to come to our games wearing Major League uniforms of which he had several. He was always a welcome sight. We are going to miss him greatly.
RIP VIN.
JOE HYMAN
LEFT FIELD
Joe Hyman played Sunday GNSB for many years. He passed away in May, 2020, several months after having heart surgery from which he never recovered.
He was a very solid hitter and fielder. For most of his playing days he played left field. Health issues allowed him to make a only a handful of appearances in recent years, but he always had a strong desire to keep playing and was a paid up member for 2020. In addition to his fine softball skills, Joe was one of the sweetest, nicest, men ever to grace us. He never argued a call or had a bad word for anybody. Always positive, his signature expression, which many others would imitate, was "Ni-i-i-ce piece of hitting."
Joe will be sorely missed. They don't make them any better. RIP Joe
He was a very solid hitter and fielder. For most of his playing days he played left field. Health issues allowed him to make a only a handful of appearances in recent years, but he always had a strong desire to keep playing and was a paid up member for 2020. In addition to his fine softball skills, Joe was one of the sweetest, nicest, men ever to grace us. He never argued a call or had a bad word for anybody. Always positive, his signature expression, which many others would imitate, was "Ni-i-i-ce piece of hitting."
Joe will be sorely missed. They don't make them any better. RIP Joe
MARTY PROPPER
FIRST BASE
A beloved, long time Great Neck Weekend Softball player, who unexpectedly passed away on Saturday, December 28, 2019 from a brain hemorrhage at the age of 79.
He was a major part of our softball family and a real character that made everyone laugh and smile. He will be very sorely missed.
Rest In Peace Marty. You'll be forever in our thoughts.
Thank you Marty for being part of and enriching our lives.
He was a major part of our softball family and a real character that made everyone laugh and smile. He will be very sorely missed.
Rest In Peace Marty. You'll be forever in our thoughts.
Thank you Marty for being part of and enriching our lives.
JERRY KATZ
PITCHER AND SECOND BASE
This Summer 2019, our Great Neck Weekend Softball Family sadly and unexpectedly lost long time favorite, Jerry Katz. Jerry played with us for a quarter of a century. He mostly pitched or played 2B and was a major character in our game. Shortly after his passing, his sons Justin and Jason came over to our field to throw out the first pitch. RIP Jerry. We will miss greatly. We are all shaken.
For more please see: https://www.facebook.com/groups/187233094668490/
STEVE JURRIST
RIGHT FIELD, FIRST BASE
A major force in Great Neck Weekend Softball with a one of a kind, larger than life, personality. Steve
Steve was a ferocious competitor, with a monstrous swing. Until his illness he rarely missed a game. Steve passed away on August 9, 2018 at the age of 56. Despite his battle with cancer, he played up until 2 months before his passing.
His presence will be sorely missed. Goodbye loyal friend. R.I.P.
Steve was a ferocious competitor, with a monstrous swing. Until his illness he rarely missed a game. Steve passed away on August 9, 2018 at the age of 56. Despite his battle with cancer, he played up until 2 months before his passing.
His presence will be sorely missed. Goodbye loyal friend. R.I.P.
