by Kevin ChristoforaWoodstock Little League President
Baseball, Hot Dogs, and Apple Pie: What is more American than that?
Kevin Christofora, President of Woodstock Little League has conjured up something that is basically a little league reunion. Since the inception of Woodstock Little League in 1956, there had never been an "Old Timers Day" like the Yankees have every year. Woodstock was fortunate to still have over half the team and the founder of the league available to show up. Working together with the historical society and the local papers...the dream began.
Old pictures began surfacing around town. Old trophies and uniforms came out of the attics. Everyday conversations around town buzzed with baseball. No matter what people are doing with their lives, I am sure most would like to go back to their little league days and just play ball.
Now that there is an Old Timers' Day, the people of Woodstock, NY get their chance.
The "first ever" Old Timers Day surfaced as an entire town's back yard picnic, highlighted by a baseball game filled with memories. Little kids got to see their dads and grand dads being a celebrity on the field. Players gathered around the dugouts reminiscing stories, such as, the time the ball hit "Stumpy" and bounced to second base and then we turned two. They remembered nick names that were lost for 50 years. It was an incredible experience to stand among the history on the field.The first 63 year old batter swung so hard he spun himself around and fell on home plate. As the entire population laughed heartily, he got up while the umpire proceeded to pick up all the coins that fell out of his pocket. As he offered the coins to the batter, he replied to the ump..."keep the change." It was a day mixed with everything from soft tags to head first dives like yesteryear.
Woobsie the clown was balloon twisting and face painting for the toddlers, the fire department had the bazaar cat throw booth to win stuffed animals and there was free popcorn and crackerjacks galore.
To top it all off, 33 ladies entered the "Best Apple Pie in Woodstock" contest. Whose mom doesn't make the best apple pie? The local bakery judged the contest and served free apple pie to all spectators wanting to taste a piece of history.
It was a dreamy day, with the sunshine high over head. There is nothing finer than Baseball, Hotdogs, Apple Pie and a whole lot of smiles. There was no shortage of smiles that day in Woodstock!
2011 has brought the "Return of the Old Timers!" After a year off, they are all rested up and ready to go again. Registration has been heavy. Woodstock expects to have two, three inning games this year. One game will be for fun and laughs and one for the guys who still have something to prove.
Woodstock Little league has become such a humongous media attraction, an anonymous donor will award the winner of the 2011 Apple Pie Contest this year with a trip for two for a week in Hawaii!The scenes in Woodstock during the Old Timer's Game has tied generations together, rekindling old relationships and strengthening new ones. Kevin believes that Little League International could introduce an Old Timers Day nationwide, in celebration of our founding fathers.
