Jim Raftis, Sr., center, is pictured with Senator Fred Akshar, right, and Justin Donnelly on the left. Donnelly is a decorated Iraq War veteran that returned home after sustaining injuries from a suicide car bomb attack on his southern Kirkuk outpost. Donnelly was also the soldier that took action to help three-month-old Baby Noor, a young girl who suffered from spina bifida. Donnelly was serving, at that time, as a 10th Mountain Division medic attached to 121st Battalion. Donnelly resides in Nichols, N.Y. and is now serving as a Little League coach in Owego. (Photo contributed by Jim Raftis, Sr.)
On Saturday, April 28, Owego Little League kicked off their 68th season at Hyde Park in Owego.
With a parade that departed from the Owego Police Station in the morning, the players were led by the VFW’s Color Guard and local dignitaries as they paraded to the field where ceremonies to open the season commenced.
Senator Fred Akshar also participated in the parade, and offered a recognition that is long overdue. Senator Akshar recognized Jim Raftis, Sr., who made it to opening day following a bout with pneumonia earlier this year.
Raftis, who has been involved with Owego Little League since 1955, reflected on the league, and talked about its history.
One of the fields at Hyde Park, Raftis Field, was named after his grandfather, Nick Raftis, who was a professional baseball player.
Raftis explained that Ben Weitsman and his grandfather loved baseball. After a game one day, the two began talking.
Ben Weitsman wanted to support a Boys & Girls Club in Owego, and Nick wanted to support Owego Little League.
The Boys & Girls Club opened in 1946, and Owego Little League was formed in 1952.
The first fields, according to Raftis, were located on McMaster Street.
Charlie Johnson, chairman of Endicott Johnson at that time, called it a “field of dreams,” where every child would be able to play ball if they chose to do so.
Little League took place for 51 years on McMaster Street until it was relocated to Hyde Park on George Street.
Owego Little League Players parade to Hyde Park on George Street for the opening day of games. (Photos by Wendy Post)
In 1969, a second field was constructed at Hyde Park. With two fields on George Street, and the continued use of Raftis Field, three fields were now in use.
In 1978, this second field was dedicated to George Cheresnowsky, an eight-year Owego Little League president and the District 7 administrator from 1981-2000. In 2001, Marguerite Cheresnowsky’s name was added, in memory, and in recognition of her life-long service.
The third field at Hyde Park was built in 1973. In 1982, this field was dedicated to Jim Beauter, who had been a manager, director and president in his many years of service to the league.
The fourth field at Hyde Park was built in 1975. With the completion of this field, play on McMaster Street came to an end, and what was simply “Field 1” at Hyde Park became the new Nick Raftis Memorial Field.
Owego Little League Players parade to Hyde Park on George Street for the opening day of games. (Photos by Wendy Post)
In 1986, the fourth field was dedicated to Dick Franz, who has been a dedicated Little League volunteer since its early days.
In 2006, working with the Owego-Apalachin School District and using funds donated to the league by the Fanny C. Hyde Estate, the league built a Teener field adjacent to Hyde Park on school grounds. The field is for the exclusive use of the Owego Teener League during the baseball season.
In 2011, due to the flooding in September, the Warner Building was demolished and removed from Hyde Park. The former Flats Community Club provided funding to replace the building and in the fall of 2012, the building was completed.
Hyde Park now consists of five fully enclosed fields plus the Teener field on the Owego Free Academy grounds, dugouts, field house, two storage buildings, batting cage, tee cage, a pitching complex and two pavilions.
Owego Little League Players parade to Hyde Park on George Street for the opening day of games. (Photos by Wendy Post)
On the Owego Little League website, it states, “The strong community support over the years has given us an outstanding program for the youth of our community.”
And this statement, and tradition, holds true to this date, as Owego Little League provides the children of Owego and the surrounding area the opportunity to play baseball and softball for free.
To learn more about Owego Little League, you can follow them on Facebook or visit www.owegolittleleague.com. At this website you will find information regarding clinics, tournaments, and other Little League related news items.
And as those before Raftis stated, “There will always be a Nick Raftis Field in Owego.”
Click here to view more photos from the opening day parade.
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