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Mill Creek Junior League kicks off 63rd season
Mill Creek Junior Baseball 2017 Opening Day
Gallery
Mill Creek Junior League kicks off 63rd season of continuous competition
By Greg Gulas
YOUNGSTOWN
When 10-year-old Nick Grazier crouched to receive Youngstown State baseball coach Dan Bertolini’s honorary first pitch, the last thing he expected was for the ball to sail over his head at his familiar Kramer Field home plate post.
Demanding a second opportunity, Bertolini then proceeded to calmly hit his target, signifying the official start to Mill Creek Junior Baseball League’s 63rd season of competition.
The league remains the longest-running baseball-softball league in Youngstown.
Photo Gallery: Mill Creek Junior Baseball 2017 Opening Day
“I didn’t make the proper adjustment from pitcher’s mound to home plate as I was winding up,” Bertolini said. “We did get it right the second time, but you have to credit Nick for providing me with an excellent target. I played on these fields back when I was a member of the Poland All-Stars and really enjoyed competing here. This is where it all begins, so credit everyone involved with the league for making it a fun time for all the kids.”
Grazier, whose father Mike was a standout catcher at Woodrow Wilson High School, YSU and on the local sandlots, plays for its 9-10 league Barry Dyngle’s team.
“I love baseball and the only thing that I wanted to do was give the coach a good target,” said Grazier, a fourth grader at Austintown Intermediate School. “I’m a big YSU fan, so being chosen as the catcher for today’s first-pitch was special.”
Opening ceremonies included a ladder truck from the city’s downtown main fire department, posting the colors for former player, Michaylen Lewis, who sang the National Anthem.
Captain Dave Cook, whose station also sponsors a Pigtail (ages 10-14) squad, is a former coach and officer — he served as vice-president from 2004-15 — with the league.
“Four of my children played here so it’s absolutely great to be able to give back and help out the kids,” Cook said. “With Chief John O’Neill supporting our efforts, it’s great to continue being a part of something that we all feel is really special.”
Lewis, a McDonald Elementary School student, aspires to be a professional singer. She has also been tabbed to sing the national anthem at YSU basketball games.
“Having played in the league, it’s just an honor to be able to sing the national anthem prior to the start of the season,” she said.
The idea for the league began in October, 1954, by Robert “Red” Kramer and his good friend, Jim Fyfe.
Play began in 1955 and was incorporated in 1965. Girls softball was added in 1974.
Kramer’s daughter, Janet Helsel, unfortunately did not have the opportunity to play in the league but her two daughters, Donna and Tricia and granddaughters Faith and Julia participated.
“It’s in our blood and my father’s legacy, so you can see why it’s very special to our entire family,” she said. “I didn’t have the opportunity to play because they didn’t have girls teams at the time, but my brother did and it has been absolutely great to be around all these years.”
Helsel’s husband Bill, currently a trustee, began as equipment manager (1980-92) and also spent 23 years as president.
“We were the first league with a three-inning ‘must play’ rule and it’s a rule that’s still enforced today,” Helsel said.
Girls coach Christine Anania, played six years in the league and is currently a coach.
“We lived and breathed the Mill Creek Junior Baseball League and when you didn’t have a game, you still went to the park to watch your friends and have fun,” Anania said. “It was a bad day for everyone when it rained. We all made lasting friendships and one of those opponents back then, Cherie O’Neill, is now one of my assistant coaches.”
Gina Yakimoff, vice-president for the girls Pigtail 10-14 division, also played and has served as an officer the past two years, but coached for the past 35 seasons.
“You see the young kids go through the league, then watch as they become successes in their personal and professional lives. It’s so gratifying,” Yakimoff said.
Ken Goss is the league’s current president. He has also been a coach.
“I had four children go through the program and my wife, Tracey, also played,” Goss said. “It’s a team atmosphere with the overall goal to give every kid an opportunity to compete and participate.”
Dennis Merdich is the league’s vice-president for publicity.
“Ken asked me to do something special for opening day and after today’s ceremonies, it is our hope to continue that tradition for many years to come,” Merdich said.
Youngstown Mayor John McNally coached daughters Cara and Casey for the past eight years, also sponsoring the Cupcake Division’s McNally for Mayor entry.
“I played in Liberty’s league and we played here when I was nine years old,” McNally said. “One of my most vivid memories was when one of my very best friends, Joe Herubin, hit a grand slam against us. It’s just a fantastic league that provides kids an opportunity to have a lot of fun.”
At the ceremonies conclusion, plans were unveiled to honor the late Lauren Bowman — she died last August — by naming its Pigtail slow-pitch all-star game the Lauren Bowman Memorial All-Star Game.
On Sunday, eight games — five boys and three girls contests — were scheduled as part of Opening Day.