Owego Little League will celebrate its 50th Anniversary with an Alumni and Volunteer Family Homecoming, Parade, 11 Opening Day games, and a Chicken Barbeque on Friday and Saturday, May 4 and 5, at Hyde Park.

Owego Little League President Mike Slavetskas extends an open invitation to all Owego Little League alumni and volunteers form 1952 to 2001 to actively participate in all aspects of the memorable two-day program. Invitees include players, managers, coaches, umpires, league officers, and directors, sponsors, volunteers, queens, queen and talent show contestants, cheerleaders, concession stand workers, honored guests, and dignitaries.

Friday Night Homecoming

The Friday night, May 4, Homecoming at Hyde Park will focus on greeting and registering alumni, identifying multi-generation Little League families, paying special recognition to players on 1952's first four teams, a home run derby between decades, golden hot dogs for fifty cents, memorabilia display, DJ music from the past 50 years, down memory lane for remembrances with an open microphone, fellowship, introductions, and a 50th birthday cake.

Saturday Morning Parade

The Saturday morning, May 5, opening day parade starts at its birthplace - the first Nick Raftis Memorial Field on McMaster and Depot Streets, across from the Owego Home Central. The parade forms at 8:00 am and marches at 8:30 am. The parade route uses McMaster Street to Fox Street, Fox to North Avenue, North to George Street to Hyde Park.

Parade Grand Marshal is Mr. Little League Baseball in the Southern Tier, George Cheresnowsky - eight times Owego Little League President and 20-Year District Seven National Little League Administrator. George and his late wife, Marguerite Cheresnowsky, dedicated nearly 50 years of their lives to Little League Baseball.

Twenty-three teams, their managers, coaches, umpires, league officers, and volunteers form Owego Little League's 2001 tee-ball, girls softball and boys baseball program will head the six-decade parade.

Owego Little League Public Relations Director Jim Raftis and Parade Chairman John Loftus repeat the open invitation to all Owego Little Leaguers from 1952 to 2000 to also march in the golden anniversary parade. This includes all who have been involved - form players to those who have volunteered their time, talent or treasurer.

An open invitation is also extended to other Owego Little League graduates from 1952 to 2000 to march in the golden anniversary parade. Invitees include all District Seven National Tournament players, District Seven National Boys Champions of 1983 and 1986, and Girls Softball Champions of 1994. Also, all Owego Little League queens, queen and talent show contestants, cheerleaders, concession stand managers, and volunteer workers, umpires, league officers an directors, and all financial supporters.

Also, two 1965 teams with opposite records will be honored. Undefeated Community Shop was 18-0 and 51-2 over three seasons - the league's longest winning streak. Winless Owego Murray was 0-18, but this is where three time Owego Little League President Ken Winters learned his Little League values.

Also welcomed are any year's undefeated teams, pitchers who threw and catchers who caught perfect games, first girls to play Owego Little League baseball, first girls to play softball and first players to play tee-ball. Also, the 2001 Owego Free Academy baseball team and players from OFA's 1997 New York State Class B Baseball Champions.

Opening Day Ceremonies

Opening Day Ceremonies at Hyde Park include the Owego Elks presentation of a new American Flag, the raising of three flags - American, POW/MIA, and Owego Little League 50th - invocation, introduction of 2001 Tee-Ball, Girls Softball and Baseball teams, managers and coaches.

Also, the introduction of Owego Little League officers and directors, umpires, introduction of honored guests and dignitaries, memorial dedications, first pitches, and Play Ball! - the playing of 11 games on five diamonds.

Throughout the day there will be a chicken barbeque cooked and served by volunteers from the Owego Fire Department.

Hall of Fame Nominations

The Golden Anniversary Team is planning and accepting nominations to an Owego Little League Hall of Fame. It will honor volunteer role models and individuals who have contributed significantly to the promotion of the ideals and goals of Little League.

You may contact Jim Raftis, 687-4229, to volunteer your part time services on a steering committee to look at an Owego Little League Museum to house 50 years of memorabilia. Volunteers are also needed to organize scrapbooks, pictures into albums, research missing history for a time line, and to do other jobs related to this endeavor.

If you believe in the kids, respond to this open invitation and take an active part in the Owego Little League's Golden Anniversary Alumni and Volunteer Family Homecoming, Parade, Opening Day Ceremonies, 11-Games on five fields and a day-long chicken barbeque.