The National Anthem is sung by Owego Elementary School fourth graders on Opening Day of Little League.
What a memorable Owego Little League (OLL) Opening Day on April 30, with no rain. VP-Teener League Jim Lavo proudly announces the Owego-Apalachin Teener League will have three teams participating in The Tri-County League this year. The league will have two 16-Under teams, one competing in the A Division and one in the B Division. The league will have one 14-Under team competing in the 14B Division.
There are 42 players competing in the Tri-County League from our area this year. This matches the number of teams from last year, the difference being that one of the 14U teams, whose players are a year older, has moved up to the next age group.
Once again, VP-Lavo says, the level of participation shows that baseball is alive in Owego/Apalachin.
VP-Softball Dave York says the Dick Franz Girls Softball Field has been completed and first games played. It is now a skinned infield for use as a softball field. Many weeks of work by John Chandler Construction went into this along with a few volunteers to put on the finishing touches.
Many thanks go out to the OLL Board of Directors members Dick Franz, Ken Winters, Rich Ives, Steve Lounsberry and Jim Raftis. Special thanks to Building and Grounds Chairman Ken Winters for all he hours he put into making this happen for all the children that have the opportunity to play softball on this new field for years ago come.
For Opening Day, there was bagpipe music, the Veteran’s of Modern Warfare marched in the parade, there were free hot dogs from the VFW, and a free ice cream from Ice Cream Works provided by Owego Mayor Steve May. There was also a special appreciation award to OA School Superintendent Bill Russell.
Director Dick Franz also spoke about volunteerism, and announced the new softball field.
Opening Day is for the kids. They lined up and were itching to go by 8:30 a.m. The parade chairman led the parade, and OPD Chief Karen Vinti and Sheriff Gary Howard walked the parade route. There was also a bagpiper in this year’s parade, Dan Lasky.
On NIck Raftis Memorial Field, Mayor Steve May proclaimed, “Good Morning” and Deputy Mayor Earl Hartman added, “It’s A Beautiful Day in Owego.”
Parade Chairman John Loftus got loud applause for his organization of the parade and field lineup and restarting the parade when he was two-time president in 1993 and 1994. Thanks were extended to the fire police for traffic control and the Owego Fire Department for their trucks in the parade.
Master of Ceremonies Jim Raftis paid tribute to his grandfather, “Owego’s Grand Old Man of Baseball” and EJ-Owego employee Nick Raftis and EJ Chairman Charlie Johnson – professional baseball teammates – both visionaries responsible for the first field on EJ property on McMaster Street.
The second graders of Owego Elementary School sang “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” so well that they sang it again with more emphasis. Later the OES fourth graders saluted America with the National Anthem. They were well directed – again – by second grade teacher Suzanne Newswanger. Little Leaguers also recited the Little League Pledge.
To encourage patriotism in the youth of this community, Exalted Ruler George Cheresnowsky led the July 4, 1986, Owego Elks Lodge 1039 erection of the Elks Flag Pole. OLL President Ken Winters received the flag from ER Zach Newswanger. With Veterans of Modern Warfare as Honor Guard, VFW Post 1371 Commander Ralph Tapia and Past Commander George Carrigan raised Old Glory and the POW/MIA flag to fly 24/7. Fallen WWII Army Hero Glenn A. Warner lived on George Street next to McAuliffe Drive to OES.
Fourteen time President Ken Winters’ voice broke when he thanked volunteers for their support. During the month of April Ken never got home until darkness because much work had to be done at the park including the softball field before opening day.
Ken introduced his officers and directors: VP-Baseball Steve Terry, VP-Softball Dave York, VP-Teener Jim Lavo, Treasurer / Billboards / Advertising Steve Lounsberry, Secretary / Uniform Manager Brandy Lunn, Player Agent / Webmaster / Tournament Director Eric Hawkins, Equipment Manager Nichole Perkins, Concession Manager Kathie Rollison, Concession Co-Manager / Staff Coordinator Melissa Terry, Raffle Manager Denis McCann, Scheduler Mike Beyer, Safety Officer Mike Hopkins, Picture Day Chairman Philip Wiles, Rules Interpreter Rich Ives, Public Relations Director Jim Raftis, Building and Grounds Director / Assistant Tournament Director Ken Winters and Parade Marshal John Loftus.
Cafeteria Manager Kathie Rollison went last so she could tell the kids hot dogs were free all day thanks to the VFW. Later, Mayor May announced a free ice cream cone for uniformed players at Ice Cream Works – and throughout the day players lined up at both dispensing booths.
Like industry when it changes ownership and names but stays put, Dick Franz announced the new OLL Girls Softball Field, replacing the Little League Baseball Field built in 1975 and dedicated in 1986. Girls Softball players thanked Builder John Chandler at their new home plate before their first game.
OAMS Social Studies Teacher Christina Bangel would appreciate any information you have as she develops the quarter century history of Owego Girls Softball.
Recognizing his past 10-year support to OLL, the OLL Family said thanks to Dr. Bill with a Special Appreciation Award. Former OLL Secretary and Assistant Concession Stand Manager Suzanne Newswanger smiled when Dr. Bill said it was her who insisted that he never miss an OLL Parade or Opening Ceremonies. She graded him “perfect attendance.” OA Board of Education VP Gene Cvic congratulated Dr. Bill.
This past year’s accomplishments included work on Red Compton Field House, a new roof and one-way window, new blacktop around the concession stand, and a new girls softball field. Work bees with hard working volunteers cleaned the rest rooms, finished infields on three fields, fixed the visitor dugout, repaired the green outfield wall on Beauter field, scraped and painted the clubhouse and concession, cleaned and repainted the dugouts, dragged the fields, repaired the batting cage and foul ball nets, and many more improvements.
Baseball VP Steve Terry introduced his 20 Tee Ball and Baseball Teams. They coordinated with their pitchers and batters for the Ceremonial First Pitch, officially opening each league.
Here are the sponsored teams. 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, Talcott 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.
Four or five games are played at 6 p.m. weeknights, and on Saturday at 10 a.m. and at 12:30 p.m. Home and away games are played with Inter County teams from Apalachin, Tioga, Spencer-Van Etten, Candor and Newark Valley.
OLL’s Chris Rieg announces Pitch Hit and Run on Sunday, May 15 at Hyde Park. This will be OLL’s third year hosting this completely free event for boys and girls ages seven to 14. The event begins at 10 a.m. Registration begins at 9:45 a.m. Players are encouraged to pre-register at pitchhitrun.com, and there will also be registration forms at the ballpark that morning.
Last year OLL’s Sarah Terry won her sectional event and went on to the Regional’s at Yankee Stadium.
Direct questions to Chris Rieg at crieg70@gmail.com.
In the event of a rain out, Webmaster Eric Hawkins updates the OLL website, www.eteamz.com/owego, and sends text messages to managers.
