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There will be an alumni game, 1950s pricing and visits from league alumni, including players from the 1987 and 1990 teams that won state championships and came within a whisker of traveling to Williamsport, Pa., for the Little League World Series. Ceremonies begin at 3 p.m.
“I think one of the things that our league prides itself on is the sense of community,’’ said league president Jon Hoch, a former player in the league. “Our field is almost the hub of Springdale. It’s not just a destination. So many times parents will drive in, the kid will play, and drive out. With Springdale, we pride ourselves on the community aspect.”
Springdale plays most of its games at Michael Drotar Park at Springdale Elementary School. The league has had its share of success, but is widely recognized as a community hub that has offered young ballplayers stability, continuity and a wonderful community atmosphere.
Continuity in its coaching and administration has played a large role in the league’s success. Junie DeLeo, who coaches Clairol in in the league’s Major Division, has been involved in the league since 1967. The benches at Drotar Park are named after Norm Filmer and Jimmy Caputo, who coached in the league for nearly 50 years.
“One of the big benefits of a child getting into the Springdale organization is the longevity in the coaches and the administration,’’ DeLeo said. “That longevity brings stability. They sense that stability right away. Things seldom change radically. Parents have a comfortable feeling that everything is taken care of. We make sure the boys are treated correctly.”
Hoch said volunteers have also made an impact. “We’ve worked hard in the last 30 years, and made a lot of improvements to the field,’’ he said. “We weren’t even allowed to host All-Star games before. Now we’re hosting them every year. That’s a testimony to the volunteers, and the ones that were there before us. That’s the goal for this Saturday, to celebrate that and honor those that came before us.”
DeLeo said the league’s founding members deserve much of the credit for its current state. “They were always structured, we always had an agenda, always had a treasurer’s report,’’ he said. “There was never a mystery about where the money went. Any time we got money, we put it back into the field. The founding fathers set that pace. Once we got the stability, we wouldn’t let any one coming in to divert us. We weren’t going to lose our identity.”
Springdale’s field is the centerpiece of the league. The snack bar, dugouts, well-groomed field, press box, lights and community camaraderie provide one of the best atmospheres any where for young ballplayers.
Saturday’s celebration will include will bounce houses for kids, speeches, songs and games from teams in the league. DeLeo and Tony Strazza will coach the alumni game beginning at 5:40 p.m.
Hoch, who played in the league from 1983 to 1986, has two sons in league now. He’s hoping his boys will have the same positive experience that he did.
“You never know what a kid will remember,’’ Hoch said. “I hit a home run to win an All-Star game, but I don’t remember much of anything about the game. I do remember the pool party Jimmy Caputo had afterward. There’s always life lessons that can happen. Baseball is just a conduit. It’s not about wins and losses for us.”
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