West Medford/Hillside Little League Opens Season
Medford Mayor Michael McGlynn, Medford Rotary Club president Mary Sbuttoni, Armstrong Ambulance EMT’s Rachel Biggins and Paul Tierney, Anne Powers, and West Medford Hillside Little League President Chip O’Leary. The Rotary Club donated AED’s (automatic external defibrillators) to the league. Courtesy photo.
It is hard to believe that opening day for West Medford Hillside Little League (WMHLL) was this past Saturday (4.21.12).
There is new Board of Directors for our three little leagues in the City and the talk is even more abundant for a citywide Baseball league and Board that represents all levels and all fields. It is again refreshing to welcome our sponsors, parents, our elected officials, along with our long time and well recognized civic organization. This year, the scores of new and returning players to the 2012 Little League season for West Medford Hillside and baseball in the City continues to have solid numbers with the crop of T-ball players at an all-time high around the city parks. Youth baseball is alive and well and living in the dreams of their parents through their child’s every swing and lesson!!!
In these difficult economic times, we are especially grateful to our Sponsor’s commitment to the Children of our league. The Board of Directors of the West Medford-Hillside Little League wants to thank the following sponsors who have pledged this year to be Grand slam or a Homerun sponsors and have gone above and beyond to show their support.
A special thank you goes out to long-time supporters
1. Pompeo and Sons Insurance Agency
2. Vincent Leo and Family who operate many of our Dunkin Donuts through Medford Square, Main Street, and Mystic Ave.
3. Patrick Kierce and Son Landscaping
4. Ken McConnell Plumbing and Heating
5. Kiwanis Club of Medford
6. Rotary Club of Medford
7. Whole Foods of Medford
8. Martignetti (Enterprises) and Mawn Family my team in 1978 and back then they were longtime supporters!!!
Medford Little League and their Boards are committed to making sure that baseball is affordable for all youth in our City and with an impending citywide merger City baseball can be done even more inexpensive with the continued partnership both public and private. Medford and Little League also want to make sure that our children have a safe and fun baseball experience. With the recent AED donation by the Rotary Club of Medford in partnership with the City of Medford Recreation Department; visitors, players, and spectators will be ensured that life safety is on everyone’s mind and volunteering also means caring about your neighbor and community. With that said, WMHLL have undertaken major improvements to the fields, the fences, and the surrounding area outside the field for a more enjoyable park experience.
As we continue to accomplish these goals, the West Medford-Hillside Little League and each City baseball league has partnered resources for field maintenance with volunteers but more importantly had great support from the Mayor’s Leadership team (and always Mike McGylnn) Athletic Director Robert Maloney with special thanks to Parks Department and Parks Director Mike Nestor and Denis Doheney. An extraordinary thank you also goes to Pat Kierce and Sons Landscaping as well as the many parent volunteers and a public thank you to Joe Stover and the Diamond Club for their continue “can do attitude†with any type of small project for our Memorial Park and Santoro and Barros field.
Finally, rest assured that every sponsor dollar contributed or fee paid by parents goes directly to supporting Medford baseball programs now and in the future. As you will see from the scores of banners on all the fields and the many upgrades that have been undertaken from new batting cage/bullpen/PA system and equipment containers these things are result of the many businesses and city civic partners that have entrusted our overall mission of providing a fun and safe atmosphere for our local children to participate in America’s most favorite past time. With that said, come on down and become a spectator and Friend of Medford Baseball.
It is the same way you remembered it, a memory in every moment.
The children are waiting.
– Submitted by Bill O’Keefe, West Medford/Hillside Little League Board member