CONEY ISLAND — The Brooklyn Bar Association hosted a baseball night on July 9 at Maimonides Park in Coney Island to support the Brooklyn Cyclones.
The BBA enjoyed conversation and networking with friends and family while taking in America’s favorite pastime. The Cyclones squared off against the Wilmington Blue Rocks and came away with an 11-2 victory.
BBA Director of Operations Paul Vaygen, who organized the event, told the Brooklyn Eagle, “We have a lot of good things to look forward to this year.”
The BBA is planning more social gatherings, continuing legal education events and an outreach effort targeting new lawyers and law schools to bolster the organization’s membership.
BBA President Dan Antonelli, Esq, who was installed as president of the association in June, said that events like Baseball Night, a tradition in its second decade, are beneficial for current and prospective members.
“We’re here today to have a good time and to take a little break from all the serious stuff,” Antonelli said.
“The venues for the events are the icing on the cake,” he said. “I have this memory from about 10 years ago where one year, it rained. The baseball game was canceled. We wound up going to a local bar and restaurant and had a great time. That just goes to show you that your friendship is where your friends are.”
Angelina Carrasco, left, alongside Court Attorney Referee Danielle Noel, Esq. Photo: Wayne Daren Schneiderman/Brooklyn Eagle
He added that he is “trying to create some excitement” for future get-togethers, including a possible professional basketball game.
“There are so many bar associations out there, many of which are much bigger than ours, but what we offer is that real special Brooklyn vibe,” Antonelli said.
He spoke about the sale of the BBA’s longtime headquarters at 123 Remsen St. In April, the BBA announced that it had listed the property for $12 million, with Ariel Property Advisors serving as the exclusive broker. A new location has not yet been announced.
“We have a lot going on with the building and trying to reshape the organization in a way that will be sustainable for another 100 years,” Antonelli said. “The new location must represent an epicenter within the legal community, much like 123 Remsen has.”
The view from behind home plate. Photo: Wayne Daren Schneiderman/Brooklyn Eagle
The BBA’s purpose is to promote professional competence among attorneys and increase respect for the legal system. It also works to ensure all residents of Brooklyn have equal access to the criminal and civil justice systems. The association’s mission is further supported by its Access to Justice Task Force and other initiatives focused on diversity, inclusion and equity.
Sponsors for BBA’s Baseball Night included the Brooklyn Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Section, East Coast Appraisal Service and Leap Legal Software.