Owego Little League (OLL) invites its alumni family from 1952 to now – players, coaches, managers, parents, league officers and directors, sponsors and supporters – to report to the outfield of Nick Raftis Memorial Field at Hyde Park for the 65th Opening Day Ceremonies after the parade at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 30.
Parade Marshal and former OLL President John Loftus starts the “Downtown to the Flats” parade at 8:30 a.m. Enthusiastic Little League and Girls Softball players will march up North Avenue and down George Street to Hyde Park. OLL thanks motorists waiting for the players to parade through intersections.
Staging area for the parade is Temple Street between the Owego Police Station and the First Presbyterian Union Church. From 8 a.m. on players should find their team banner on the street. Team coaches and managers will organize players.
As players arrive at Hyde Park’s first and third base entrances to Nick Raftis Memorial Park, they’ll get high fives from current Owego Free Academy baseball and softball players.
Once all the players are lined up on the first, infield and third base lines, the Master of Ceremonies says, “It’s a beautiful day in Owego!” and the 65th season starts. Long range AccuWeather forecast says it will be 57 and cloudy.
It’ll be the 49th season at Hyde Park after 16 years at McMaster Street using property owned by a generous Endicott Johnson Corporation Owego plant.
Opening Day Ceremony highlights include the Owego Elementary School (OES) second grade students singing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.”
Elks Lodge Exalted Ruler Zach Newswanger presents – 48th time for Owego Elks at Hyde Park – a new American flag to fly 24-7. Veterans from Vietnam and Modern Warfare in Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan raise the American and POW/MIA flags at the Elks Flag Pole. Veterans from Korea and WWII lead all in Hyde Park by placing their right hand over their hearts. OES Fourth Graders sing the National Anthem. Players recite the Little League Pledge. Invocation follows.
Introduction of 24 teams, managers and coaches by Baseball and Tee Ball VP Steve Terry and Girls Softball VP Dave York and Teener VP Jim Lavo who’ll say his season opens in June.
Majors/National has 33 players – 11 per team for three teams. Minors/American has 74 players – 14 per team for nine teams. Tee Ball has 48 players on six teams. Modified has 49 players on six teams. Teener has 33 so far, with registration open until May.
President Ken Winters introduces his officers and directors. Special appreciation awards are presented. Announcement of OLL’S prestigious Dick Horton Memorial “I Do It For the Kids” award will be presented for the 14th year.
First pitch officially opens each league. Milestone announcement: Dick Franz Girls Softball Field.
“Play Ball!” Games commence on five diamonds – three baseball, one tee ball and one girls softball – at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Scheduler Eric Hawkins says the Spring OLL season is three weeks away. It’s time to repair winter damage, perform general maintenance and clean up the five ball fields. First Work Bee is Saturday, April 16, starting at 9 a.m. until finished.
All parents and players are invited. The mission is to get the fields ready for upcoming practices and games. If you need to arrive late or leave early, not a problem. Any help is appreciated. Please bring your shovels, edgers, rakes, brooms, leaf blowers and other tools to help out.
What are some of the activities? Raking the grass and dirt to clear the field of any debris (leaves, sticks, trash etc.). Sweep out the dugouts. Installing windscreens. Reseeding turf where necessary. Check Saturday’s tasks with the on field coordinator.
Volunteer to sell concessions in Manager Kathie Rollison’s Concession Stand, coach, prepare playing fields, operate scoreboard, shadow a league officer, or research and write the history of Owego Girls Softball and OLL’s last 15 years.
Reminder to email your memorable moments in OLL to jraftis2@stny.rr.com. Example: How did playing help you in school, college and your profession?
Check for practice updates from by Webmaster Eric Hawkins on the OLL website, www.eteamz.com/owego and go to Williamsport, www.littleleague.org for resource information.
