[quote style=”2″]League Celebrated 50th Anniversary on Saturday[/quote]
In 1964, the Little League home office in Williamsport, Penn., received a charter application for a brand new league in Hermiston from Marv Lemmon. It called for the formation of eight teams and 120 players.
The application, of course, was granted and 50 years later, Hermiston Little League celebrated its golden anniversary Saturday on a sunny day with more than 600 players participating. The ceremony began with the introduction of all the teams from tee ball on up. Then, to help commemorate the occasion, each of the names of the league’s past presidents was read off, starting with current President Dave Caldwell and going all the way back to the first president – Marv Lemmon.
Speaking of field maintenance, the league upgraded its lighting this year so all four fields will have lighting. The project cost $105,000 with much of the funds coming from grants and community donations. The lighting will come in handy this year when Hermiston plays host to the District 5 All-Star tournament in June and July. More than 50 teams from around the district are expected to take part in the event.
On Saturday, the original 1964 Hermiston Little League board members were inducted into the Hermiston Little League Hall of Fame: President Marv Lemmon, Vice President Glenn Wullf, Secretary-Treasurer George DaFoe and Player Agent Russ Dorran, who was represented by his sons, Dave and Dan. Lemmon was represented by his wife, Pearl Lemmon.
The ceremonial first pitch of the 2014 Hermiston Little League season was tossed by Sonny Liebe, who was 8 years old when he was part of the city’s first Little League season back in 1964.
Following the ceremony, there was only one more thing to do – play ball!
For more information and to keep up with the action throughout the 2014 season, visit the Hermiston Little League website.
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