125081100_web1_Ron-Grossman

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PLAINS TWP. &mdash; Just looking at the picture brought back so many memories.
				It was my final season of playing Little League Baseball in the league co-founded by my dad in 1950.
				We played on that gem of a ball field along Wadham Street &mdash; where the grass was as green as well-trimmed as Yankee Stadium. And the wooden fence that stretched around the field, with each panel hand-painted with the names of the town&rsquo;s businesses and organizations that supported the league for years.
				The press box behind home plate cast a shadow over the field around game time: 5:15 p.m. for the first game and 6:30 p.m. for the second start. As each player would stroll to the plate, my dad would announce their name, number and position in a voice that rivaled Bob Shepherd of Yankee Stadium fame.
				The dugouts along each baseline were filled with flannel uniform wearing ballplayers, all with a dream of making it to the big leagues. And behind the first base dugout, the refreshment stand would emit the sweet smells of hot dogs and pizza.
				A set of bleachers was down the right field line and they were always filled with parents, siblings and friends cheering for the kids on the field.
				The Little League field was adjacent to Huber Field, where Plymouth&rsquo;s Shawnee Indians battled on the gridiron. The field house stretched from right field to center and the football field&rsquo;s press box rise high above the dividing wall.
				The National Anthem was played before each game and the Little League Pledge was recited. This was hometown community pride at its very best.
				In the photo of the field, Joe Shutlock is seen umpiring the bases. Mr. Shutlock always had a smile and a style all his own. The other league umpires listed in the booklet were Charles Brown, Anthony &ldquo;Stush&rdquo; Gayson, Andrew Klimchak, Joeph Kosloski, Eugene McKeown, Joesph Ryncavage and John Stone.
				There were six team sponsors in the league: American Legion, VFW, F.O.E. Eagles, Kiwanis, UGI and Bird Mining.
				The season opened on May 27 and ended on Aug. 9, culminating in a picnic at a local park.
				In the league&rsquo;s official booklet of schedules and rosters, there is a narrative and speaks to the way it was back then:
				&ldquo;It is better to build boys, than to mend men.
				&ldquo;With this thought in mind, Plymouth Little League was organized in 1950.
				&ldquo;By instilling in the youth of our community the ideals of good sportsmanship, honesty, loyalty and courage, it is our fervent hope that they will become stronger and happier boys and help them to be good, clean and healthy adults.
				&ldquo;We urge the citizens of this community to encourage and support our youth, for a display of confidence and faith in the youth of today will make better citizens and leaders of tomorrow.&rdquo;
				That really says it all. And those words exemplify the way my dad lived his life and what he instilled in me and so many other kids from out town.
				We were fortunate to have so many community oriented leaders involved in Plymouth Little League. They all set an example of how we should live our lives.
				We didn&rsquo;t realize it at thee time, but we would later discover how lucky we all were to be a part of such a great organization.
				Like the Little League Pledge tells us: &ldquo;Win or lose, we will always do our best.&rdquo;
				A simple message from far more simple times &mdash; the very best of times.

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