Baseball players from Pony and Major divisions from the H-P Recreation League and their parents took time before a scheduled game to show appreciation for the refurbished baseball fields at Town Hall Park. During the brief ceremony at Foster Field, Parma Supervisor Rich Lemcke shared with the crowd the scope of the renovation project which included the construction of two new ballfields, replacement of backstops, resodding of the baselines of the three premier fields, installation of electric to the instructional fields, building clay pitching mounds, adding bench fences on all fields, and the addition of a homerun fence on field # 2. State Senator Joe Robach was present and shared a few words on how delighted he was to assist with such a worthwhile project, and how it was an honor to be available the evening that Foster Field was dedicated on behalf of Don Foster who was instrumental in bringing organized youth baseball to Parma. Don died earlier this year; his wife, Rose, and the Foster family attended the dedication. It was a $25,000 Legislative Initiative which Robach secured last fall that helped solidify the town board's commitment toward this project. The ceremony concluded with a few inspiring words from Leo Downey, Jr., who was representing the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and some special recognition to the Parks Director, Joe Petricone, and his department who handled most of the field work, and Mike Whelehan who coordinated the project from the planning stages through its completion. The quartet of Melanie Murphy, Jeff, John and Angie Meyers sang the National Anthem before the evening games began. |
