Letter to the Editor: Palisades-Sparkill Baseball League
Along Route 340, north of Oak Tree Road and the Palisades Parkway, is the American Legion’s John M. Perry Post. For almost 50 years Orangetown children, ages 8 to 12, have been learning and playing organized baseball on the John O’Rourke Memorial Field just across from their building.
Since its inception, many facility improvements have been made. These include: fencing, lighting, lavatories, refreshment stand, scoreboard, stands parking, etc. Besides contributions by the legion, town and individuals, extensive commercial outdoor advertising by local businesses has assisted in subsidizing continuing and expanding operations.
It may be interesting to Palisades residents how this came about. We built and moved into our Swan Street home during 1961. A few years later I wanted my eldest son (Arthur Jr.) to experience baseball fun and enroll in the Tappan Little League. The application was denied due to his not being a resident of that hamlet.
I protested since our taxpayer funds were subsidizing the league, that we attended church, public school and shopped in Tappan. In addition I volunteered to be an umpire, manager or coach. All to no avail, even though I pointed out that there might be an imbalance in the number of each team’s players and, under such circumstances, a waiver could be justified.
Therefore I was determined, with the help of brother war veterans, to establish our own league for all eligible Orangetown hamlet residents. At meetings in our house, with like interested parents, mainly of Palisades and Sparkill, we organized and started with four teams; Dodgers, Giants, Pirates and Yankees.
The use of the property was donated by the Post and we received about $ 900.00 of surplus equipment from the Town. After volunteers worked to clear and level the field, we were in business. There were many problems, which we struggled with and solved. One was that some parents wanted it to be run like the Majors. However, cooler heads prevailed.
The rules provided that every kid had to play at least half of each game (3 innings), regardless of ability. No pitcher could pitch more than 3 innings, therefore at least two different pitchers per game. There would be no trades between teams during the season. Verbal derision of teams or players would be forbidden. Encouragement and good sportsmanship must always be prevalent.
I personally formed and directed the league for the first 3 years including umpiring when necessary for up to 5 years. I continue to be amazed by the successful accomplishments attained to date.