Brooklyn Cyclones staff plays baseball for 24 hours straight

Let's play two. No, better yet, let's play 13!

Photo: Brooklyn Cyclones staff plays baseball for 24 hours straight

The staff of the Brooklyn Cyclones minor league baseball team played for 24 hours nonstop over the weekend, battling little leaguers, circus clowns and waiters, among others, and raising $2,500 (euro1,854) for local food shelters.

The team, which included its general manager and assistant general manager and personnel from ticket sales, media relations, graphics and other departments, played 13 other teams at KeySpan Park in the Coney Island section of Brooklyn.

The first pitch was thrown at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, and the last out was made about 4:45 p.m. Sunday.

Assistant General Manager Kevin Mahoney, who served as starting pitcher, threw straight for five and a half games, or 11 hours, the team said. He came out in the third inning of the 2 a.m. game - with a pitch count of 500.

The team won 10 games and lost three. Opponents included staff from Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz's office; circus clowns from King Henry Entertainment; waiters, cooks and bus boys from Gargiulo's Restaurant; and even Cyclones fans.

The games were open to the public. Players and spectators were asked to make donations. Proceeds will go to two non-profits, Salt and Sea Mission Church and Reaching Out Community Services Inc., Cyclones spokesman Jason Solomon said.

General Manager Steve Cohen said the event was "a tremendous success."

Asked if there would be a second 24-hour baseball marathon for charity, Cohen said, "Right now it may not seem doable. I'm happy we made it through this one. But after we all heal up and get some sleep, we'll talk about it."

The Cyclones' 2007 season starts June 19 with a matchup against the Staten Island Yankees.