John Chandler of J.O.C. Construction works on the upgrades to the Dick Franz Baseball Field.
What a beautiful surrounding for the new Dick Franz Girls Softball Field. Behind the new diamond is the new Owego Apalachin Middle School. Down the left field line and outfield is the new OAMS Playground.
For his growing program, VP-Softball Dave York got the green light from the Owego Little League (OLL) Board of Directors to finalize drawings for a field larger than the existing baseball field infield.
Building and Grounds Chair and League President Ken Winters did all of the other necessary work to make it happen. It didn’t matter that it was Easter weekend for John Chandler of J.O.C. Construction of Owego to start moving infield dirt and preparing the base for the new field.
“Our own field. Wonderful. Wow! It’s about time,” exclaimed some of the 85 girls registered to play regular and tournament season games. Player Agent Eric Hawkins says there are 66 in the majors and minors and 19 in teener.
What’s more, there are 103 baseball players. Majors/National has 33 players – 11 per team. Minors/American has 70 players – 14 per team. Tee Ball and Modified numbers are pending completion of the annual draft.
Dick Franz Baseball Field was built in 1975 and dedicated in 1986. Located in the northeast section of Hyde Park, the fourth field recognizes one of OLL’s still most active and involved volunteer for over 50 years.
Dick Franz retired with distinction as Umpire-in-Chief because he loved doing it for the kids. Dick is a year-round OLL Director. His second home, from March until August, is Hyde Park where he does almost anything that needs to be done. Former Player Agent and Owego Police Chief Karen Vinti verifies the park has Dick’s fingerprints all over on his completed tasks.
Hyde Park has three other baseball fields, a tee-ball field and a Teener League Field.
Nick Raftis Memorial Field was built in 1967 and rededicated in 1968. It remembers “Mr. Owego Baseball” who developed the first Little League field for the first four teams and first games in 1952 at McMaster Street. Nick was the first honorary president and first umpire in OLL.
George and Marguerite Cheresnowski Field, built in 1969 and dedicated in 1978, honors the retired eight time OLL President in the 1960’s and 1970’s and 20-year District Seven Little League Administrator from 1980 to 2000. Field rededicated in 2001 to remember George’s wife, Marguerite, as the “Mother of OLL Baseball” for her long service since 1952.
Jim Beauter Field, built in 1983 and dedicated in 1982, honors the 17-year OLL Manager and two time and 18th President of Owego Little League, and many years director and founder of the very successful OLL Invitational Little League 10U and 12UTournament.
It would be nice to have a history of Owego Girls Softball. What’s needed is any information from those who participated and perhaps have some tidbits stashed away in their archives. Email your contribution to jraftis2@stny.rr.com.
One of the most important events in the OLL experience was this past week’s Player Draft. League officials spent many hours drafting for the National and American Baseball Leagues and Tee Ball and Modified Tee Ball and Girls Softball.
Interested in an important leadership position in OLL? Focus: Where Are All the Volunteer Umpires? What’s needed: League Umpire in Chief. Establish League Umpire Programs. Recruit Umpires. Training. Retention.
You’ve been asked to do a five-minute talk on what makes OLL special. You are at the Owego and/or Apalachin Elementary School PTA meeting. Moms and dads are considering youth sports for their children. What are the key points to convey?
Wanted: volunteer writer for history of past 15-years of OLL Baseball and Tee Ball and Girls Softball. Email to jraftis2@stny.rr.com.
Team practice updates are on the OLL website, www.teamz.com/owego. Other valuable resources can be found on the Williamsport website, www.littleleague.org.
