New York Today: Candidates Take a Swing

Joyce Dopkeen/The New York Times Can the mayoral hopefuls measure up? Here’s how stickball was played back in the day.

At lunchtime on Tuesday, a bunch of wealthy, successful, but ultimately indoors-y people, likely in inappropriate footwear, will try to hit a small ball with a thin stick.

Among them will be several contenders for the city’s highest office.

At the Candidate Stickball Challenge in Brooklyn, an assortment of mayoral hopefuls will compete to whack the ball furthest in this classic urban pastime.

Candidates expected to take part include Joseph J. Lhota, John C. Liu and William C. Thompson Jr.

If they whiff after repeated attempts â€" as is highly likely â€" they can use a tennis racket.

For politicians, showing sporting prowess has obvious upsides for connecting with voters.

Except when events go dreadfully wrong.

President Obama, during the 2008 campaign, was mocked for his ineffective bowling technique. (He did not help matters by comparing his performance to “the Special Olympics.”)

“I mean, listen, it’s hard,” said Andrew Holt, an organizer of the stickball event, which is sponsored by City & State, a politics and policy Web site.

“But I imagine they wouldn’t let their candidates come out here without some hope,” he said.

Here’s what you need to know for your Tuesday.

WEATHER

Highs in the mid-80s, but with a breeze to cool you down. Chance of rain in the afternoon and evening. Click here for more information.

TRANSIT & TRAFFIC

- Mass Transit Click for latest M.T.A. status.

- Roads Click for traffic map or radio report on the 1s.

Alternate-side parking is in effect.

COMING UP TODAY

- Christine C. Quinn, the Democratic mayoral candidate, attends a vigil for Islan Nettles, a transgender woman who died after a brutal attack in Harlem last week.

- Scott M. Stringer, running for comptroller, will also attend, as will Representative Charles B. Rangel. It begins at 6 p.m. at the Jackie Robinson Park Bandshell on West 148th Street.

- Mr. Thompson releases a plan to create “multiple pathways to high school graduation,” then is endorsed by Jewish leaders in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

- Several candidates for city office take part in a forum at Bay Terrace Jewish Center, in Bayside, Queens, at 7 p.m.

- Otello, Verdi’s opera, screens in high definition at Lincoln Center Plaza at 8 p.m. [Free]

- Two titans of hip-hop, Pete Rock and DJ Premier, will battle it out on the turntables at 7 p.m. in East River Park on the Lower East Side. [Free]

- Troubled Daughters, Twisted Wives, is a wonderfully named reading from 14 pioneering female suspense writers at BookCourt in Brooklyn at 7 p.m. [Free]

- The 90’s classic Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead screens at Valentino Pier in Red Hook at 8:30 p.m. [Free]

IN THE NEWS

- A baby snow leopard was born at the Bronx Zoo. You’ll likely read more important stories, but none will feature pictures of a baby snow leopard, so just click and get it over with. [New York Times]

- Get ready for speed cameras in school zones. [New York Daily News]

- A police officer was indicted on charges of lying about his reasons for arresting a news photographer. [New York Times]

- Prince showed up at a gig at 3 a.m. and proceeded to perform until sunrise. [Gothamist]

- Think your apartment is bad? The Queens district attorney is accusing an Astoria landlord of scamming tenants into uninhabitable places. [New York Daily News]

- The iconic St. Mark’s Bookshop will move. But apparently, it’s staying in the East Village. [Bedford and Bowery]

- TK from tabloids in the morning.

AND FINALLY…

On the topic of politicians in awkward positions: here are some images of Colin Powell, who appears to be doing the funky chicken alongside Jamie Foxx, the singer-producer Pharrell Williams and (of all people) Ellen DeGeneres at a music event in the Hamptons.

Seldom has the Washington uniform of a dark blazer and beige slacks been wielded with such intent. [Gawker]

Nicole Higgins DeSmet contributed reporting.

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