Photos from Opening Day of Owego Little League; April 30, 2016

: John Chandler of JOC Construction receives lots of thank you’s from Owego Girls Softball Players for building them the new Dick Franz Girls Softball Field, as League President Ken Winters looks on appreciatively.

: Owego Apalachin School Board Vice President Gene Cvic and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Bill Russell wait for Director Dick Franz and Parade Chairman John Loftus to cook them a hot dog. They were not eligible for a free hot dog from VFW Post 1371 because they aren’t in a Little League uniform.

: View from the bleacher of first game on the new Dick Franz Girls Softball Field.

: A free hot dog is enjoyed by a Newark Valley Little League player. He’s from one of five Inter-County teams playing home and away games with Owego.

: “Take Me Out To The Ball Game” was enthusiastically sung twice by the Second Grade players from Owego Elementary School, and directed by Second Grade Teacher Suzanne Newswanger. She’s a past recipient of the prestigious Dick Horton Memorial Award for distinguished service to OLL.

: The 46th Flag Raising Ceremony at Hyde Park. VFW Post 1371 Commander Ralph Tapia and Past Commander George Carrigan raise the American and POW/MIA flags as the Veterans of Modern Warfare form an honor guard. Elks Exalted Ruler Zach Newswanger presented the flag to the 27th OLL President Ken Winters. Bag Piper Dan Lasky played Amazing Grace. You can see the George Street / OES entrance home of WWII Fallen Hero Glenn A. Warner for whom the VFW Post is named from the top of the Elks Flag Pole erected in 1968.

: For the 14th time, OLL President Ken Winters introducers those officers on the field – Safety Mike Hopkins, Player Agent, webmaster, and Tournament Director Eric Hawkins, VP-Teener Jim Lavo, VP-Softball Dave York, VP-Baseball Steve Terry, Secretary-Uniform Manager Brandy Lunn, and Eqipment Manager Nichole Perkins.

: OLL Players thank motorists driving south into Owego on Route 96 for patiently waiting for their parade. This sign, thanking them, was located at North Avenue and Talcott Street by Thompson’s.

: Parade Chairman John Loftus briefs Bag Piper Dan Lasky as he prepares to play Celtic music on the parade route up North Avenue and down George Street to Hyde Park. It was a first for bagpipe music in the parade.

: Early bird players line up with their teams just after 8 a.m. on Saturday for the 8:30 a.m. parade.

: The Glenn A. Warner Post 1371 Veterans of Foreign Wars Honor Guard is thanked by Parade Chairman John Loftus, who led the 65th Opening Day parade.

: Pictured is the Special Appreciation Plaque from the OLL family that was presented to Dr. Bill Russell for his past decade of support to OLL.

: Director Dick Franz and Cafeteria Manager Kathie Rollison wait to be introduced.

: Cafeteria Manager Kathie Rollison tells Little League players the Glenn A. Warner Post 1371 Veterans of Foreign Wars wants them to have a free hot dog after their Opening Day games. Owego Mayor Steve May offered a free ice cream cone at Ice Cream Works to uniformed players on their way home. OLL Officers applaud the unexpected and welcomed donations to the players.

: Fifty-plus year volunteer Director Dick Franz reminds new players and parents no kid has to pay to play OLL Baseball or Girls Softball. He recalled that respected home plate umpire Don Downey and former eight time President George Cheresnowsky felt very strongly about this now 65-year practice. Dick then announced the OLL Board of Directors had approved the new Dick Franz Girls Softball Field to replace the Little League Baseball Field originally built in 1975 and dedicated in 1986.

: Dr. Bill Russell reacts with surprise and gratitude for the Special Appreciation plaque from the OLL Family honoring his 10 years of dedicated service as Superintendent of Owego Apalachin Schools. He hasn’t missed an Opening Day parade or Opening Day ceremony. He credited advice at his welcome to the OACS District by Second Grade Teacher Suzanne Newswanger, who looked him in the eye and said, “Your elementary kids expect you to be there.”

: VP-Baseball Steve Terry near the mound and VP-Softball Dave York after they introduced their baseball, tee ball and softball teams and now prepare to open the season with the Ceremonial First Pitch Ceremony for each division.