Mr. Met, Nassau police help kick off Little League season in Wantagh

Saturday marked Little League opening day in Wantagh, and more than 300 kids were ready to play ball.
Mr. Met and former Mets player Nelson Figueroa were on hand for the festivities, and the Nassau Police Department was also there to spread its message to help kids avoid drugs.
"Every time they stand up to bat, on the back of every helmet, it's going to have a sticker that says 'Little League Strikes Out Drugs,'" explains Nassau Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder. "Hopefully, they're all going to get hits when they're up at bat -- but that's the message."
Opening day was also a chance to raise money to help remember 8-year-old James Lodato, of Wantagh. He died last year of a rare, aggressive form of cancer. 
There's an effort underway to build a baseball field in Lodato's honor, which is estimated to cost close to $270,000. A fundraising effort will take place at Mulcahy's Pub and Concert Hall on May 5.