VP of Softball Dave York, left, and assisted by Joe Ford, is installing third base.
Fifteen games involving 25 Little League, Tee Ball and Girls Softball teams after a traditional downtown to park parade and the use of the new Dick Franz Girls Softball Field headlined Owego Little League’s 65th Opening Day at Hyde Park. For the next seven weeks, weeknight games start at 6 p.m. Monday on Hyde Park’s five diamonds. Saturday games are at 10 a.m., noon and 3 p.m.
Here’s VP-Baseball Steve Terry’s Work Bee report: It was a success. We only had a handful of familiar faces, but they put in another 10-plus hour day. We were able to finish the infields of all three baseball fields and lay sod down on the new softball field. The visitor dugout on Raftis and the green outfield wall on Beauter were repaired and/or painted.
I would love to mention the individuals that help but they asked me not to. I just hope that the community understands that without their sweat equity, our league would not continue to be absolutely free for any player that wants to play baseball or girls softball.
Owego Little League has 25 sponsored teams for the 2016 season.
Majors: Partners, Scott Smith and Son and Rotary.
Minors; Owego PBA, Chemung Canal Trust, Kiwanis, Ben Weitsman and Son and Owego Elks.
Modified: VFW, Tri Town Insurance, Owego Taxi, Richards Funeral Home, Tioga State Bank and Mario’s.
Tee-Ball: Weaver Automotive, Vietnam Veterans of America, Alcott Well Drilling, Owego Lions, Moore’s Tire Sales and Dunkin Donuts.
Girls Softball Majors: Susquehanna Screen Printers and Owego Moose.
Girls Softball Minors: Original Italian, Price Chopper and Bud’s Place.
Now an OLL History Book question to the sponsors: What year did you begin your sponsorship and proudly say if you have sponsored from the first year.
Teams from five Tioga County communities will play 30 games on their fields with OLL teams. Inter-League teams are Nichols-Tioga, Apalachin, Spencer, Candor and Newark Valley.
Volunteers can help in the Concession Stand, prep fields and assist coaches. At tournament time in July, help is needed each night in the Concession Stand.
Say thank you to all volunteers especially lady volunteers Brandy Beach for uniforms, Nichole Wayman for equipment, Kathy Rollison for Concession Stand and just getting started OAMS Social Studies Teacher Chris Bangel on the History of OLL Girls Softball and the past 15 years in baseball and tee ball.
Picture Day Chairman Phil Wiles says we’ll use the Owego Free Academy front yard like last year and the OFA front lobby for a rain location. Posters and folders will be distributed. Phil says he’ll try for the new Owego Elementary School again next year.
OLL’s Pitch Hit and Run Qualifier will be held at Hyde Park on Sunday, May 1. It’ll begin at 10 a.m. Registration starts at 9:45 a.m. for ages 7-14 boys and girls. Winners will advance to the regional qualifier in Binghamton and from here to Yankee Stadium if they win the regional qualifier.
Sarah Terry from Owego Little League made it all the way to Yankee Stadium last year and finished second at the Major League Baseball Team level.
Get in the habit of checking the OLL webiste, www.eteamz.com/owego for game updates from Webmaster Eric Hawkins.
To view photos from the parade, click here.
