Village of Owego Public Works Department employees paint the swing set for kids at Hyde Park.
John Chandler of J.O.C. Construction resumes work preparing the new Dick Franz Girls Softball Field from a Little League Baseball Field now that there isn’t snow, rain and cold weather.
Owego Little League (OLL) Opening Day is an event for the whole community. There are a lot of residents in the Owego – Apalachin School District neighborhood that are touched by Little League and Girls Softball in a variety of different ways.
OLL will recognize the schools where players attend, local civic and volunteer organizations, and businesses in the area.
Not overlooked is the power and emotion of the 65-year history of OLL.
OLL invites past players, coaches, team moms and umpires, along with former league officials, to feel like welcomed. OLL would like to show you that your contributions are appreciated, regardless of how much time you spent on the field, in the Concession Stand or volunteering in some other way – it’s all part of making a better experience and reminding you why you participated or volunteered in the first place.
OLL will highlight last year’s accomplishments. OLL remembers that this is an activity for children of all ages, so it will be fun. Team pictures will be taken next Saturday morning at OFA.
Opening Day is a way to thank sponsors. They’re welcome to attend.
Opening Day is an awakening of sorts for OLL and the community. Embrace these moments.
AccuWeather says it will be sunny and 60. It’ll be a beautiful day. It’s a baseball day. This is what baseball is all about. The grass is green; the dirt is brown, the chalk lines are white and the sky is clear.
How many fathers and sons got together to toss the ball around and thought they were Stan Musial, Willie Mays or whomever. This is a great way for fathers and sons and now mothers and daughters, too, in softball to get together as a team and play. There’s so many great memories provided playing Littler League Baseball and ASA Softball, and it’s a great family experience.
Seventy years ago this started in a small town in Williamsport, Pa. Now there are at least three million kids playing at this entry level of baseball around the world. They play in Japan, Saudi Arabia and South Africa; they play everywhere around the world, that’s great for every community that has it.
Hyde Park Opening Day Timeline
8:30 a.m. – Parade from Police Station, North Avenue and George Street.
9 a.m. – Opening Day Ceremonies. Welcoming remarks. Hats Off to Parade and Opening Day Field Chairman and former OLL President John Loftus. OES Second Graders sing “Take Me Out To The Ball Game.”
American Flag presentation by Owego Elks Exalted Ruler Zach Newswanger to OLL President Ken Winters. Glenn A. Warner Post 1371 Veterans of Foreign Wars raise American and POW flags. (Note: The parade passes the Fallen Hero’s boyhood home at the corner of George and McAuliffe Drive to OES.) Veterans of Modern Warfare of Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan form the Honor Guard.
Invocation. OES Fourth Graders Sing National Anthem. Recitation of the Little League Pledge by 12-year-olds.
Delivery of the 14th Presidential Welcome by Ken Winters. Officers, Directors, Volunteers introduced. Accomplishments announced. Director Dick Franz will speak on the new Girls Softball Field on the former Baseball Field. Dick Horton Memorial Award. Special Appreciation Award.
Ceremonial First Pitch Ceremony. Introduction of 25 teams by VP-Baseball Steve Terry and VP-Softball Dave York. Ages five to six play Tee Ball. Ages six to eight play Coach/Machine Pitch. Ages eight to 10 play Minors. Ages 11-12 play Majors.
Work Bee Success
VP-Baseball Steve Terry reports that the 2016 Work Bee Day was a great success. There were more volunteers Saturday than the last three or four years.
Accomplishments: cutback the field and completed re-sod on Raftis field. Clubhouse and Concession Stand were scraped and painted. Most dugouts were cleaned and repainted. There were over 15 projects completed.
Volunteers came back this past weekend to finish the dugouts and to fix the net in the batting cage. Work continues on the two other baseball fields to make them look better and safer for play.
Vice President Terry, stated, ” I would like to personally thank all who showed up to help. I think we have one of the nicest Little League facilities in our area and it makes me proud when other teams visit. It is our volunteers that help keep our program free for any player that wants to play baseball.”
Terry added, “Practices are going well now that the snow and cold weather have calmed down. I have spoken with most coaches and they say their teams will be ready for opening day. I have attended some practices and noticed that some Managers could use some help. Parents please ask the Manager or Head Coach if there is anything you can help with. You don’t have to knew a lot about baseball, just see a need and ask.”
Picture Day
Picture Day Chairman Phil Wiles announced that on Saturday, May 7, OLL will be using the Owego Free Academy front yard like last year and the OFA front lobby for a rain location. Posters and schedule to follow.
OLL Director Honored
Owego Fire Department Fire Police Lieutenant John Hitchings announces Croton Hose Company No. 3 volunteer Dick Franz has been recognized as the Owego Fire Police “Man of the Year.” Dick is an active OLL Director and recognized on the Owego Apalachin School District “Wall of Fame” for his half century of volunteer activities.
OLL History Wanted
An OLL Mom who is interested in local history – Christina (Chris) Bangel – has volunteered to research and write history of OLL since the 50th Anniversary publication.
Chris is a mother of four – Jeri and Mathew and OLL players Jonathan and Joseph and grandmother to three. She’s married to Alan Bangel, retired teacher from the OACSD.
The 24-year Social Studies teacher at the Owego-Apalachin Middle School will start by using help from the community with the research of the overall history of the Owego Girls Softball Program. There is limited published information available, so it will be like starting from scratch to cover a quarter of a century.
Chris coached softball at OAMS many years ago. She’d love to have all of those familiar with the program jot down notes for the story. She’s an experienced writer having written a column on local schools. Parents and kids will also remember her for co-organizing the Trunk or Treat Nights in October 2011 and 2012.
The OLL past 15-year history is a big job. Yet to be covered is Little League Tee Ball and Baseball and the Teener League. Feed your information for the overall history story to jraftis2@stny.rr.com.
OLL Web Site
Remember to check the OLL website, www.eteamz.com/owego for updates to the Practice Schedule by Webmaster Eric Hawkins.
