Owego Little League opens 68th season, and 52nd at Hyde Park

Owego Little League (OLL) opened its 68th season last Saturday with a downtown to park parade stating at 8:30 a.m., then Hyde Park Opening Day Ceremonies at 9 a.m. that included wind, rain, light snow and bitter cold temperatures, followed by 10:30 games only of National, American and Modified, and a very difficult decision at 11 a.m. to cancel the rest of the day’s games because of chilly weather. 

Here’s more about Golden-plus two Hyde Park: OLL Home since 1967 after 16 years at McMaster Street on the property of Endicott Johnson Shoe Corporation; 31st season for Girls Softball; and in June the 18th season for Owego teams in the Tri County Teener League.

On a non school day and terrible weather, kids were out of bed, ate breakfast, and by 8 a.m. were on Temple Street between the Owego Police Station and the First Presbyterian Union Church to find their team banner or manager and coach for the parade. Presbyterian Pastor Bruce Guiles and his wife Carolyn and volunteers from First Presbyterian served welcomed and appreciated hot chocolate and coffee to the anxious to go marchers. 

The Parade Marshall, Matthew Loftus, started the one-mile, 20-minute parade at exactly 8:30 a.m. The 35 teams tipped their hats in appreciation to motorists waiting patiently at key intersections. What a wonderful sight as the uniformed players got the thrill of a lifetime marching up North Avenue, yelling under the underpass, turning into George Street and saying, “We’ll be back for Ice Cream at Ice Cream Works,” and arriving at a well manicured Hyde Park. Entering third base on Nick Raftis Memorial Field, there were high fives from the Owego Fee Academy baseball team, and first base slaps on the hands from the OFA Girls Softball Team. The Binghamton Mets Rumble Pony Mascot was there too, mixing it up with the younger kids. 

Welcome to the 52nd Opening Day at Hyde Park and 68th for Owego Little League, proclaimed by second year Master of Ceremonies and Director Denis McCann who recognized 50-plus year volunteer and MC Jim Raftis, who is recovering from a left hip replacement surgery. And there was no registration fee for 68 years in a row. Plus a big Thank You to John Loftus, OLL President in 1983-84, for organizing the parade and field lineup and his son Matthew, who executed in dad’s absence. 

Some of the many dignitaries in attendance were recognized including Owego Mayor Mike Baratta, OPD Officer Woodburn, Owego Apalachin School Superintendent Corey Green, and Director of Athletics Andy Buchsbaum.  

Introduced and giving motivational speeches to their future players were OFA Head Varsity Coaches – Baseball Ryan Smith and Girls Softball Kerry Lavender. Their assistants – Baseball, Gary Rosenthal and Chris Schmidt and Softball, Jess Phillips and Kate Warren, took applause. 

Owego Elementary School’s Select Choir, directed by Becky Merges, sang “Take Me Out To The Ball Game” and the National Anthem.

Especially remembered were the OLL pioneers who have named fields to include former major league baseball player Nick Raftis. He developed the first OLL field for EJ on McMaster Street and was first Honorary President. George and Marguerite Cherosnowsky – George was a multiyear OLL President and District Seven Administrator and wife “Maggie,” the Mother of OLL. Jim Beauter who founded the post season and very successful Owego Little League Tournament. Dick Franz, a 50-plus year Volunteer, Director, retired Chief Umpire, and two time recipient of the Dick Horton Memorial Award – “I Do It For The Kids.” 

The Owego Elks Lodge Exalted Ruler and past OLL President Steve Gregory presented a new American flag to second year President Dr. Scott Rollison. Vietnam Veteran Dean Morgan accepted the flag on behalf of the Glenn A. Warner Post 1371 Veterans of Foreign Wars Honor Guard. Iraq War Purple Heart Recipient and Ben Weitsman’s Manager, Justin Donnelly, raised the American and POW flags at the Elks flagpole, soon to be replaced with a new pole. 

Those who served in the Military or Law Enforcement received a round of applause. 

Pastor Brian Scanlon of Sword and Spirit Christian Fellowship and an OLL grandfather gave the Invocation. Isaiah Lewis read the Little League Pledge. 

President Dr. Scott Rollison said Thank You to all many times over for their significant and continuing contributions to the program. That included volunteers and billboard and team sponsors and charitable organizations. He strongly encouraged volunteerism – key to a successful program and post season and essential for the upcoming New York State 10-Under Tournament. He challenged the players and past players and parents to get involved and volunteer, no matter how small. 

Thanks to and a conspicuous billboard for E.E. Root and Son for a very important and needed park improvement – new dugouts on four fields. These volunteers demolished the old dugouts, prepped for concrete, hauled away the dirt, backfilled the dugouts and leveled dirt and grassy areas. 

The Dick Horton Memorial Award – “I Do It For The Kids” – went to Concession Stand Manager Kathy Rollison for her dedicated years of support “behind the counter.”  

Since 1983 there have been 31 recipients: Dick Franz; Ken Winters; the Farabaugh family of Mark, Cindy and two sons Ethan and Adam; Greg Poffenbarger; Rich Ives; Steve and Diane Gregory; Jim Medovich; Joe Fuller; Lori Espe; Rose Winters; the late OLL President Mike Slevetskas; Steve Lounsberry; Suzanne Peacock; Dan Smith; Debi Schmidt; Ed Walters; Dan Martin; Jim Raftis; Karen and Bob Johnson; Mike Stewart; Karen Vinti; Brandy Mae Beach-Lunn; Dave York; Ken Winters; Dick Franz; and Kathy Rollison.  

Announced was the second year award – the Casey Carlson Sportsmanship Award. Coaches, Umpires and OLL Officials will select the recipient. Last year Hunter Pratt received the award. It is based on the best teammate, not the best player, the one who is positive, cheers, helps, tries hard, and doesn’t get mad at others.  

The Inaugural Ceremonial First Pitch and Swing Ceremony took place in the light snow. Majors: Matt Higgins to Zach Bensley and Alex Aubel to Taylor Dalton. Minors: Nolan Card to Lauren Kotski and Emily Sipe to Geneva Crawford. Modified Baseball: Colby Cordeo at bat. T-Ball hitting off: Makhi Floyd. 

Owego Fire Department cooked and served their annual Chicken BBQ. The VFW Post 1371 paid for free hot dogs. There were free slushies for every player, compliments of the Owego Elks.  

OLL Board and Staff include President Dr. Scott Rollison; VP of Baseball and Web, Eric Hawkins; VP of Softball, Emily Crawford; VP of Teener, John Loftus; Treasurer and Board, Steve Lounsberry; Sponsorship and Web, Thomas Bronk; Secretary, Player Agent and Web, Andrea Gregory; Concession Manager, Kathy Rollison; Raffle Manager and Board, Denis McCann; Scheduler, John Gregory; Board, Dick Franz; Public Relations and Board, Jim Raftis; Information Officer and Board, Rich Ives; Building and Grounds and Board, Kenneth Winters; Commissioner of Coaches 12U, Rick Hoyt; Commissioner of Coaches 10U, Mike Sipe; Uniforms, Kim DeVita; Equipment, Jeff and Christina VanWagenen; Liaison, Dan Tavelli; Parade Marshall and Board, John Loftus. 

Volunteers are needed to research and write history on these important and meaningful OLL projects: 52-Year history of OLL at Hyde Park; History of OLL from 50th to 68th year; History of Owego Girls Softball; History of Owego Teener League Baseball; History of the Concession Stand; History of the Billboard and Team Sponsors; Memories of your time in OLL and how it helped you in your high school, college and written “In Your Own Words.”