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| A BRIEF LOOK BACK The Vestal Little League was founded in the fall of 1950 and played its first season in 1951. The leagues founders, Mr. Clifton "Bud" Peters, Mr. Michael Rossen, and Mr. Bernard Pierson met at the Pierson residence on Glenwood Road in the fall of 1950 to discuss organizing a youth baseball league. In a short time, the idea flourished, and volunteers lined up to help. Local businesses got involved, donating funds and equipment. The main problem of finding a field site was solved by Mr. Al Lee of Union Center, who loaned the league a parcel of land located 1/4 mile west of the Four Corners, where NY Rt. 17 now runs. The volunteers worked nightly on the field, so it was ready for Opening Day 1951. That May evening, over 1000 people attended the event. Keep in mind that in 1950, Vestal was a very small town, with very little population east of Route 26. So when that many people show up, it was a large event. Vestal's Little League was also the first of its kind in the Southern Tier of NY, and soon the Little League baseball movement spread across the region. In 1953, Lee & Stratton Field became O'Hara Field, when Mr. William O'Hara purchased the property with the intentions of building a poultry processing plant on the site. Mr. O'Hara was extremely kind to the Little League, letting them use the field until another suitable location was found. It wasn't until 1956 when the Little League moved to its current site off of Clayton Avenue. The Vestal Veterans Memorial Association gave the Little League a piece of its property, thus VVMA Field was founded. In 1962, the league honored two of its hard working and most respected volunteers, Annabelle & Louis Angelo, known better as "Mom & Pop" Angelo, by dedicating the field to them, thus Angelo Field has been the home of the Vestal Little League ever since. NOTE: Ruth Pierson who still lived on Glenwood Road , wife of Bernard Pierson, passed away in Aug 2002. Our prayers go out to the entire Pierson family. |
| These Vestal Little League History Pages are not affiliated with the Vestal Little League, Inc. Although the Vestal Little League links these pages from their website, the Vestal Little League,Inc., is void of any responsibility. All comments and suggestions should be directed to the address above. |
| What's Inside |
| Vestal's 1st Little League Field.... Lee & Stratton Field 1951 |
| These Vestal Little League History Pages were created and are maintained by Ron Ohnmacht, long time Baseball fanatic, Vestal resident 1964-1996, Little League Manager and Board Member, who now resides in Concord, North Carolina. Do you have an old Vestal LL Photograph you can contribute. Scan and email it, or make a copy and send it to me. I'll return it quickly at no charge to you. Send VLL History info to: Ron Ohnmacht c/o VLL History 314 Windrose Lane Concord, North Carolina 28025-8964 |
| Welcome to the Vestal Little League History Website ! Spare a few moments and take a walk through time as we explore the history of the first organized youth league in the Southern Tier of New York. See the first years, when Vestal was a very small community, and how the league developed over the years as the town grew. Enjoy the many old pictures & interesting facts, and don't be surprised if you see someone you know.....or maybe even yourself. BUT MOST OF ALL...ENJOY YOURSELF and LEAVE A KIND MESSAGE IN THE GUESTBOOK PLEASE !....Thanx |
| Ok...Introductions are over.........Let's PLAY BALL !!! |
| Vestal Little League History 1951-2009 Angelo Field, Vestal, New York |
| This site is best viewed with your feet up, a cup of hot coffee, your speakers on, and IE 5.5 |
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| Let's have Your Autograph !!!! Sign the GUESTBOOK Please |
| Vestal Baseball Links |
| The VLL is celebrating it's 59th season in 2009 !!! |
| The History of the Vestal Little League Website has been awarded Geocities Heartland Hallmark Award. THANK YOU! |
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| baseball fans have visited this site since 1998 |
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