Owego Little League (OLL) opens its 66th season on Saturday, April 29 with a parade starting at 8:30 a.m., and then Hyde Park ceremonies at 9 a.m. followed by Little League Baseball, Tee Ball, and Girls Softball games at 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Hyde Park, where the season games will be played, is being referred to as “Golden Hyde Park” as they are in their 50th season there. Prior to that they were at McMaster Street, and on the property of Endicott Johnson Shoe Company for 16 years. It is also the 30th season for American Softball Association softball, and in June it will be the 16th season for Owego’s teams in the Tri County Teener League.
Hyde Park is unique with five diamonds – three baseball, one tee ball, and one dedicated to girls softball and an adjacent Teener Baseball League Field.
The Nick Raftis Memorial Field was the first McMaster Street field dedicated by Endicott Johnson Chairman Charlie Johnson in August 1956, and re-dedicated in 1968 at Hyde Park.
Johnson told one of his employees, and a former college teammate in 1951 that his job was to develop Owego’s first Little League Field.
Nick Raftis was a college and professional third baseman for Fordham University in Binghamton and the Chicago White Sox in the American League. He was a 40-year baseball scout for the Saint Louis Cardinals. He was a well-respected home plate umpire for thousands of professional and amateur baseball games. He was OLL’s first honorary president and umpire.
George and Marguerite Cheresnowsky Memorial Field was dedicated to the eight time OLL President and 20 year District Seven Little League Administrator. As Owego Elks Exalted Ruler, George was responsible for the Elks Flag Pole and led the dedication ceremony on July 4, 1968. George was a wounded WWII Veteran and every year came to the Flag Raising Ceremony and saluted the American Flag as it was raised to fly 24/7. George and his wife Marguerite were 61-year OLL volunteers.
The Jim Beauter Field was built in 1973 and dedicated in 1982. It honors the 17-year OLL Manager and two time 18th OLL President in 1980 and 1981. He was the founder of the very successful Owego Little League Baseball Invitational Tournament.
The Dick Franz Girls Softball Nee Little League Baseball Field was built in 1975 and resurfaced for girls’ softball in 2016. The field was dedicated in 1986 to this 50-plus year volunteer and active director, retired Umpire in Chief and Umpire. Knowledgeable of every aspect of OLL operations, Franz was recognized for volunteerism by the Owego Apalachin School District’s Wall of Fame.
OLL receives financial support from many charitable organizations including the Fanny C. Hyde Charitable Trust, many outfield billboard and team sponsors, and support from the Village of Owego and Owego-Apalachin School District. Hundreds of volunteers have provided support to team players, fields and concession stand operations.
The Dick Horton Memorial Award remembers the multiyear significant contributions of Groundskeeper Richard Horton. His labor of love for the kids was reflected in the well-manicured diamonds. Dick died on April 29, 2002. He retired in 1991 from 32 years of service with the New York State Department of Transportation.
Twenty six recipients of his prestigious award are: Dick Franz, Ken Winters, the Firebaugh family of Mark and Cindy and two sons Ethan and Adam, Greg Poffenbarger, Rich Ives, Steve and Diane Gregory, Jim Medovich, Joe Fuller, Lori Espe, Rose Winters, Mike Slevetskas, Steve Lounsberry, Suzanna Peacock, Dean Smith, Debi Schmidt, Ed Walters, Dan Martin, Jim Raftis, Karen and Bob Johnson, Mike Stewart, Karen Vinti, Brandy Beach and Dave York.
Here is the timeline for OLL’s Golden 66th Opening Day on Saturday, April 29.
From 8:00 a.m. to 8:25 a.m., the parade organizes on Temple Street between the Owego Police Station and First Presbyterian Union Church. Uniformed players show up before 8:25 a.m. and locate their team banner near their manager or coach.
At 8:30 a.m., Parade Marshall John Loftus starts the parade. The route will travel up North Avenue and down George Street. Tioga County Sheriff Gary Howard leads the parade and Owego Police Chief Karen Vinti drives her patrol car. The color guards from Glenn A. Warner Post 1371, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 480 and Veterans of Modern Warfare Chapter 9 participate as well as the Elks Lodge 1039. Other community organizations invited to participate.
Little League Baseball, Tee Ball and ASA Girls Softball teams with their managers and coaches and sponsors march in the one-mile parade. They tip the hat in appreciation to motorists waiting at key intersections.
At 9 a.m., the teams arrive at Nick Raftis Memorial Field.
A welcome to Hyde Park by Master of Ceremonies and Director Jim Raftis kicks off the ceremony, along with hats off to Parade Chairman and Opening Day Ceremonies Organizer, and OLL President in 1993 and 1994, John Loftus.
There is no registration fee for 66th year in a row. Owego Elementary School second grade students will sing “Take Me Out To The Ball Game”, led by Owego Elementary School’s second grade teacher Suzanne Newswanger.
The Elks Exalted Ruler, Zach Newswanger, will present a new American flag to 28th President of OLL, Scott Rollison. The Honor Guard of Glenn A. Warner Post 1371 will raise the American and POW/MIA flags. Veterans from Veterans of Modern Warfare of Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan, and Vietnam Veterans form the color guard.
After the invocation, fourth grade students of OES will sing the “National Anthem” and the Little League Pledge will be recited by 12-year-old Little League Baseball players. Players will pay advance tribute to mothers for “Mother’s Day.”
Scott Rollison will offer his first welcome remarks. He’ll stress sportsmanship and teamwork, and for each player to reach his or her goal. Officers, directors, and volunteers will be introduced.
Renovations to Hyde Park will be recognized including grounds work, field work, a new batting cage going up this month, painting, banners, fence guards and cleaning.
According to Tom Brock, sponsor officer, there are almost 100 sponsors this year. Last year’s sponsors are listed on the OLL website, www.owegolittleleague.com, and this year’s will be added shortly. There are new 3′ x 6′ vinyl banners on the outfield fences.
The 15th annual Volunteer of the Year Award, known as Dick Horton Memorial Plaque, will be presented, and the first pitch ceremony will follow.
Scheduler Eric Hawkins is developing the regular season of games for baseball, tee ball and girls softball.
Building and Grounds Officer Ken Winters notes that the fields and grounds will be “in golden shape” for Saturday’s 50th Opening Day at Hyde Park and 68th overall.
Officer Brandy Beach has uniforms and Jeff and Christina VanWagenen have equipment all ready for players and teams.
Owego Apalachin Teener League President Jim Lavo reports his season starts on June 6 and runs through July 15.
Shortly after the season ends the single elimination playoffs start, with the championship played in the first week of August. There are two age groups, 14U (13 and 14 year old players) and 16U (15 and 16 year old players).
Player signups are still being accepted. The registration will be open through the end of April or when the teams are filled, whichever comes first.
There are approximately 34 players registered. This is down from last year due to a low amount of Little League players “aging out” of Little League to Teener League this year.
If you have any questions or want to make sure your child is registered, either email or call Jim Lavo at lavojim@gmail.com or 953-9751.
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