Echoes-Sentinel from Warren Township, New Jersey • Page 4

ECHOES-SENTINEL THURSDAY, JUNE 10,1971 There Is A Lot More To Little League Than Meets The Eye By DONALD McKENNA PASSAIC TOWNSHIP There is a lot more to little league then meets the eye. Behind each boy on a ball field stands an organization of hard-working volunteers. The Passaic Township Little League, for example, has begun a building program which will add: three new fields; dugouts, backstops, bleachers and cyclone fencing for each; four paved roads with lights and parking; and a 14 40 foot storage building. The majority of the labor and some of the material is volunteered mostly by fathers of players and local businessmen. Everything else is paid for by donations.

Little League is a lot of work and a full-time community committment. The township Little League consists of 320 boys on 20 teams: eight Minor League teams for boys 8-10; eight Major League teams for boys 11 and 12; and a newly-added Senior League with four teams for boys 13-15. There are 16 games now being played each week one each weekday evening and three on Saturday in each league. The Senior League will begin the week of June 21, with four games each week for a total of 20 per week. The hallmarks of the township league, according to President Thomas Bay, are "livery kid plays" and, "we pull our own weight." Both of these make this league somewhat unique.

Bay says that many leagues emphasize winning, rather than playing. The less qualified boys infrequently play ball, spending much of their time on the bench. This does not happen in Passaic Township, he claims. This preoccupation with victory rather than sportsmanship is one of the main YESTERDAY and sons watch as the foundation for new stands at the Stirling Little League Field is being poured. The stands, like the fields, were built by volunteer workers in Passaic Township.

reasons I he township league is no longer affiliated with the national organization. Little Leagues of Williamsport (Pa.) according to Bay. The local league is also not officially affiliated with the township Recreation Commission. Many leagues. Bay says, are operated by municipalities.

But the township league is completey volunteer run. And therein lies the problem. Little League is a time and money consuming operation. But, Bay says, "We do not have I he whole-hearted cooperation of parents." The history of the league has been of slow growth in direct proportion to the degree of parent cooperation and resident support. Formed in 1952 by a handful! of parents, including lirnie fillipis, Raymond Milos.

and Lou Dellil'aoli. the league had no place to play. Gradually, they built the present field off of Poplar Dr. behind ShopRite Plaza Shopping Center in Stirling on land donated by the township. In the last two years this slow growth has accelerated.

Prior to the 1969 season a contractor was hired to lay a new infield. Before the 1970 season the old dugouts, originally built by the Lions Club, were replaced. During that season new bleachers were constructed raising the seating capacity to 1 10. On June 1, 1970, the league launched its building program with "Operation Ballpark." Approximately 40 fathers worked for two days clearning the area on which two field will be built. This, according to Bay, is an example of the type of cooperative effort required to make the league function effect iely.

Work on one of the three new fields is Hearing completion. Bay hopes to play on it before the end of the season. Two more fields should be completed by next year. One of these is the Senior League field, which will have professional-distance 400 foot fences. The field complex is being built on land leased from the township.

The local government has also loaned the league construction equipment and operators and permitted the township engineer to help lay out the project. The four fields will accommodate all league activities, according to Bay. Teams now play on five fields in Warren, Watchung and Passaic Township. The area will be lit to discourage vandals. Bay says that vandalism has been a problem, but frequent police patrols have reduced the damage this year.

Even without a major building program, the league is an expensive operation. It costs $125 to outfit one team with uniforms. This does not incoude catchers equipment, balls and bats, supplied by the league, or gloves, supplied by the players. The annual budget for the league is a minimum of $2,500. This includes; equipment; insurance for players, coaches, managers, officials, umpires and the Mothers Auxiliary; pay for umpires; maintenance and special projects, such as the new fields.

Baseball equipment is expensive, Bay points out. Helmets cost $7.50, bats are $3.60, baseballs are 24 per dozen, and the list goes on. Where does this money come from? The league runs three major fund raising campaigns each year. In March, players register and pay a fee ranging from 5, depending on how many children register from one family. This sliding scale fee does not place a prohibitive burden on the large family.

Also in March, a letter requesting donations is sent to local businessmen. Contributors' names are printed on the league schedule and dinner program. Donations range from In late March or early April, the annual Tag Day is held. Parents and players conduct a door-to-door campaign throughout the community. The Township contributes an annual donation, $400 this year.

Bay says, "We are grateful to local businessmen and homeowners for their support." But he would like to see more personal, in addition to monetary, backing. Little league baseball is a fascinating spectator sport, according to Bay, and he invites all township residents to watch the youth of their community play ball. Game times are 6:30 p.m. every week night and 10 a.m.. I p.m.

and 4 p.m. on Saturdays. The Minor League plays at Millington School Field on Saturday and the Mill Ridge Club on Whitebridge Rd. during the week. Major League games are at the league's Stirling field.

Senior League games will be held at Watchung Hills Regional High School, Valley View School in Watchung and Millington School, Monday Thursday nights, beginning the week of June 21. The key to the league's success is in the work of the volunteers. Bay is especially grateful to his fellow officers: Malcolm Hutchison, executive Letters To The Editor Boro Resident Says Officials Ignored Request HDITOR: On April 18, 1971, I wrote a letter to Frank LeCompte requesting that my property not be sprayed for gypsy moths and requesting that I be advised how to mark my property accordingly. Copies were sent to Mayor Schmidt and to the Borough Council. I received no answer.

On May 6, 1971,1 read in the "Sentinel" the statement that the entire town would be sprayed "except for those properties whose owners have objected to spraying, according to Mayor Kenneth Schmidt." Surely, I made my objection clear. And the Mayor's statement to the paper was perfectly clear. Why was I not advised that barrage ballons were available? Is one citizen so unimportant? The damage has already been done. A property which has been run organically for five years has now been ruined. If I wish to raise fruits and vegetables for sale as organic, I would now have to wait five years assuming Watchung would not again violate my wishes, for in order to qualify as organic the soil must not be treated with chemical pesticides and fertilizers for five years.

I have not yet computed the financial loss involved due to the Explains Stand On Dog Warden DITOR: With reference to-Mr. David C. Cooke's Slitter of June; 3. I submit the following. I appeared and spoke before the Warren Township Committee on May 6, and May 20.

At both meetings I asked: "If the Township Committee in its projected future plans for Warren contemplated the building and maintenance of its own humane shelter and if so, when might we expect such a shelter if not why not, since the presently owned township building is inadequate and its physical location makes it unsuitable for anything except a swimming pool and with a view to the future when the present dog warden may not always be the dog warden, and when we may find it undesirable to board out our impounded As 1 stated at the May 20 meeting, I returned for clarification of the May 6 reply from the Committee. On April 26, 1971,1 was on a mission to locate a lost dog. The Roxdane Kennels were contacted by me by phone at 9:30 a.m. I was informed by a young lady that I could see pound animals at 10:00 a.m. when Mr.

Cooke returned. I was punctual. I was in what appeared to be the reception area for his kennels. I say appeared, since there were other people either picking up or leaving their own pets, and 1 patiently waited to approach Mr. Cooke until this business was concluded.

I did not ask Mr. Cooke to have a guided tour of his facilities. I told Mr. Cooke of my mission and asked to see the pound animals. At no time was I informed that his kennels were being cleaned and that it was an inconvenient time.

I did see three impounded dogs that were there, which Mr. Cooke brought to me where I was waiting that same reception area. The dog pound records were requested by me when Mr. Cooke was unable to give me a guess as to how many pound dogs were handled during the year 1970. It would be both naive and presumptuous of me to relate anything but my own personal experience in this connection.

There is a vast difference between the statement I made ut the May 20 Township meeting "1 was denied access to where the animals were and that made by Mr. Cooke in his letter "Mrs. Catano was in error when she claimed that residents were not allowed to see impounded At neither the May 6, nor May 20, Township meeting was Mr. Cooke present, so I fail to see how Mr. Cooke can speak with such certainty as to what I actually said.

At neither of these two Township meetings did I object, directly or indirectly, to the boarding of pound animals at the Roxdane Kennels, Mr. Cooke's care of such animals, nor was his facilities though unseen by me ever in question, but all of which he seems to be defending. 1 have no control over, or responsibility for. anyone who misinterprets, misconstrues, or takes out of context any statement that 1 have made at these two Township meetings. In closing, I would like to say that when someone is kind enough to refer to me as a this is a personal compliment, since without the do-gooders in this world, many of the great accomplishments might never have been achieved.

(Mrs.) Michaeline B. Capano 13 Kathenne Dr. Warren Borough denying me the full use of my property. 1 do not ask that this be important to you, I only ask that you recognize its importance to me and to respect it. For your information I an enclosing some material from the New Jersey State Department of Agriculture.

It is my earnest hope that the successful work being performed by the State in biological control of the gypsy moth will not again be undone by the impatience of Watchung officials. After the initial anger at being sprayed, all I could think of were the thousands of gypsy moth predators, carefully raised and carefully released by the State in the Watchung Mountain area also being sprayed. Please consider this. I anxiously await your explaination. Mrs.

Joseph A. Ashworth 9X8 Valley Watchung Likes Tower IDITOR. On leafing through your paper my eye was attracted to your editorial "Psychedelic Water Tower." I wondered if it might hy chance be the very water tower that for the past month has attracted me because of its beauty Needless to say I was appalled that anyone could find it "visually unacceptable." I find its lines graceful, its presence compelling as it subtly accents the horizon that often in this area is occupied by pastel model housing developments that are monotonous to the eye structurally as well as hideous to any person versed in the subtlies and range of color. To paint this water tower in "distinctive show off colors" would be to ruin its beauty and assault its integrity. As I pass that area I stop my car and silently thank those who constructed it.

It is visible from where I work and I look to it time and again when I need something to remind me of strength, silence, and man's ability to accent nature with his technology instead of destroying it. I have seen many water towers, most recently I look for them to compare with the one I have found so agreeable. In my opinion, we should consider ourselves lucky that we have such a beauty. Our landscape could be riddled with oil storage tanks. Let's be glad.

Miss Dorry Gennaro 3 W'-IL: Warren Legion Says Thank You EDITOR: The members of Paj Township Mfimorial Post American Legion, would IUcfU.o thank all of the people who participated in and attended the Memorial Day Parade and Services. It is heartwarming to see so many of our townspeople respond to a community affair in spite of rain during the Memorial Services. The full impact of the meaning of the day was brought a little closer to all of us with the participation in our parade by Mr. and Mrs. John Coker, parents of Lt.

George T. Coker, a Prisoner of War in N. Vietnam for the past 5 years and Mrs. Lynne Williams, widow of William Williams, who was killed 'In-Vietnam. Special to Father Dennehey and Rev.

St. George for the services of the day and Mayor Frank Gibson for his words of township and national reded ication. RICHARD WALTER Commander Passaic Township Memorial Post 484, American Legion Cat Rescued By Firemen IDITOR, One frightened, starving cat up 50-feet in a tree, for 2 days. with not a single branch to come down on, and in all that heavy rain yet For 2 days Mr. and Mrs.

McCabe seemed to be the only ones who cared about this poor creature They kept getting negative answers to their many phone calls for help. In desperation a family friend John Power, tried to climb the tree, but it was impossible. One last hope the Washington Valley Fire Department such beautiful people these men. Steve Yacus, Andy Floham and Dick Carlson, who did the climbing to rescue the cat. They were on the scene in 20 minutes, doing a job so many refused.

Thank you Steve Yacus, Andy Floham. Dick Carlson and John Power your kind of people makes this world a little bit better to live in. Mrs. Carmen Policastro Gillette PS. Happy Ending.

The owner had been looking for her cat. It was missing 4 days. She found it safe and sound at the Cat Placement Shelter. AN ANTIQUE MIRROR, one of the items that will be sold at the Mount Horeb PTA Flea and Garage-Hake Sale on Saturday, June 12, is examined by committee members Mrs. John Beokert, Mrs.

Robert Biglow, Mrs. Louis J. Nehmsmann and Mrs. Ronald Cipriano. The event will be held at the school on Mount Horeb Rd.

Warren from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will feature bargains of all sorts including a 1966 Station Wagon, a 1963 Corvair, small appliances and furniture. In lase of rain the event will be held on Sunday, June 13. (photo by Joffe) Youths Arrested In Watchung WATCHUNG Two youths were arrested last week after attempting to siphon gasoline from a car at the Blue Star Shopping Center and later charged with a variety of offenses, including failure to display narcotics registration cards.

Arrested were Stephen Rapp, 18, of Berkeley Heights and Joseph Romano, 19, of New Providence, who escaped but was picked up a short time later. On Tuesday evening, June 1, Detective Richard Ryan was on routine patrol at the Blue Star when he noticed the two kneeling by a car parked in front of E.J. Korvelte Furniture Store. Rapp had a hose in his hand. As Ryan approached in an unmarked police car, Romano threw the hose into the trunk of Rapp's car, Rapp closed the trunk and both started to move away.

When the detective identified himself, Romano fled and Rapp was taken to headquarters. During a search back at the police station, Ryan found an envelope in Rapp's wallet containing a small quantity of marijuana. Meanwhile, Patrolman Alfred Payne had been alerted to search the Bonnie Burn Rd. area for Romano and about 30 minutes later spotted a youth walking on New Providence Rd. When Payne questioned him, he gave a ficticious name but was advised by the patrolman he was under arrest.

Romano was escorted to the police car and as Payne started for the driver's side, Romano jumped out and darted up the side of a mountain in Weldon's Quarry. He was caught by the officer part way up the mountain. Romano was charged with escape, larceny of the gasoline and failure to display a narcotics registration card. The charges against Rapp were larceny, possession of less than 25 grams of marijuana and failure to display a narcotics card. Both were jailed in lieu of $500 bond, but were later released after bond was posted.

In other police activity last week, Thomas J. Mutaffis of North Plainficld was charged with careless driving last Thursday when the car he was driving on Washington Rock Rd. hit a tree. He and a passenger, Amanda S. Gentry of Plainficld, suffered facial cuts and were taken to Raritan Valley Hospital by the Rescue Squad.

On June 1 Mrs. Lew Morton of 229 Washington Rock Rd. reported her home had been entered and money and jewelry stolen. Carol Van Nest of I'iscataway told police clothing and a pocketbook were taken from her car while it was parked at Blue Star and Elizabeth Menz of North Plainfield reported her wallet was stolen from her purse while shopping in Two Guys. vice president; Al Kenyon, executive secretary; Ed Traub, player agent; Kony Ruggiero, umpire and safety director; George Desch, treasurer; and five new vice presidents Frank Barker, Sheldon Becker, Connie Gildea, Stan Jakubek, and Larry Wilson.

Desch has been with the league since 1956. Bay also praises the Ladies Auxiliary, composed mostly of mothers of players. They support all league activities, selling refreshments at games, working on fund raising projects such as cake sales, an annual spring card party, and preparing the dinner for the annual fall father-son banquet. Mrs. Martha is president of the aixiliary, Mrs.

Dolores Megaro is vice president and Mrs. Ann Bace is treasurer. Bui, despite the hard work of the auxiliary. Bay claims that they exemplify the league's basic problem. He says, "Although we have 240 boys and approximately 175 families in the league, we are lucky indeed if we can get 30 mothers to join the auxiliary." Thus, the success of the township Little League rests on the shoulders of a lew hard working men and women.

The league has grown from a small group of boys with no lie-Id to play on to 20-leam organization building a four-field hasehall complex. II has been a long road. Along the way. Bay feels thai the league, has provided hundreds of boys not only with recreation, but also with a sense of sportsmanship and lair play. This dedication to youth is what hull 1 league is all ho til.

Thousands of dollars and a lot of hard work pennil I he boys of the township to enjoy the benefits of baseball. It is time and money well spent. Auto Parts Stolen; 3 Arrested PASSAIC TOWNSHIP Robert C. Muth, 20, of Chatham Township, Lloyd Caslanien, 18, of Califon and a juvenile were arrested last Thursday, June 3, for larceny of auloinobile parts from vehicles al the Cilgo Service Station in I A resident reported seeing suspicious the station. Police reported there were six break and entries during the week of May 30 through Saturday, June all of them in the area.

In some cases nothing was taken, but where there were thefts money, jewelry and oilier small valuables were stolen. The Deled ive Bureau Is investigating. There were nine reports of malicious damage, ranging from broken windows lo damage to motor vehicles. The damage occurred in Millington, Stirling and Gillette. During the week police received numerous complaints of fireworks being exploded throughout the township.

Police Chief Howard Runyon warned that setting off firecrackers is against the law and lhat offenders will be charged and prosecuted. He advises Ibal parents of youngsters who have fireworks turn over the firecrackers to the police. Bicycle inspections were held during the week, and although the turnout was good in Stirling and Millinglon it was pour in the Gillette and Mcyersville areas. It is mandatory that all bikes in the township be registered and inspected annually. Captain Paul Kiclblock completed a two-week Organized Crime School at the stale Police Academy in Sea Girt on Friday, June 4.

Official newspaper of Warren, Watchung and Passaic Township Cortlandt Parker Publisher Florence Higgins Editor Paul R. Helmbach Ed A merman Advertising Manager Circulation Manager Robert Schullz Production Manager Main office 25fi Mercer St. Stirling, N.J. 0798O Branch Offlce-52 Stiles Warren, J. 07060 Published weekly on Thursday at 2h5 Mercer Si.

Stirling, NJ. 07980 by the Recorder Publishing Company, a New- Jersey Corporation. Second Class Postage Paid at Stirling. NJ.O7980 Phonf: Kililor'i Drik. 6474M1 1 rar IS.M oo Oul ul Slalc So 00.