The Nanticoke Little League celebrated its 64th season with a ceremony, a recognition, and a renaming of the complex last week. Players outlined the Junior League field of the Henry A. Morris Little League Complex in Seaford. Local dignitaries Mayor Matt MacCoy, who also coaches a team, Seaford Council members Alan Quillen, Dan Henderson, and Orlando Holland, State Representative Danny Short, County Council President Mike Vincent, and Miss Seaford Jocelyn Dwyer and Little Miss Seaford Ariyana Ross were in attendance. Local resident Shane Beard sang the National Anthem.
The ceremony was led by long-time volunteer Russ Neal who announced that the league received a grant this season which provided monies for upgrades. The grant was acquired with the help of State Senator Bryant Richardson, Vincent, and Short. Volunteers worked many hours and upgraded scoreboards, sound system, the press box on both the Major League baseball and softball fields. Additionally, the equipment grant helped players in need of gloves, bats, uniforms, and bags. A new pitching machine donated by Vincent will be used for both softball and baseball players.
The family of the late Henry A. Morris stands in front of the new sign welcoming everyone to the Henry A. Morris Little League Complex. Family members include (in no particular order): Ed Rosemary, Vonnie Rosemary, Wanda Morris Rhodes, Doug Morris, Caitlin Koebel, Frank Morris, Emerson Morris, Patti Bradley, Ty Smith, Debbie Smith, Chloe Callaway, Dylan Callaway, Sydney Price, Bryan Callaway, Kevin Rosemary, and Shella Elliott. Photo by Lynn Schofer
Neal recognized the umpires and pointed out that leagues are in desperate need of the help and encouraged women to also get involved in umpiring.
Neal welcomed the family of Henry Alfred Morris to the field and local historian Jim Bowden spoke on the renaming of the complex. Morris, who was the president of the little league, spent hours caring for the fields that were once behind the Nylon Capital Shopping Center. The league knew they would have to move the fields and the board of directors recognized all the years of volunteerism and voted to name the new field after Morris who was terminally ill. However, after his death in 1972 the promise fell unfulfilled when the new complex opened in 1977. Bowden was doing research on Seaford and found the 1972 article from the former Leader newspaper announcing the intentions of the little league board. Bowden reached out to the family and presented the information at a city council meeting which approved the motion to rightfully name the complex the Henry Alfred (Al) Morris Little League Complex. The sign was donated by Charlie Towers. Bowden said, “Promises made, promises kept.”
League President Steve Mullin also announced a new yearly recognition of a person that donated time to the league to give kids a chance to play ball. The first recognition was presented to Bob Taylor who was provided a momento and shown a plaque that will be on the press box with his name. Taylor was involved for over 50 years where he coached, sat on the board, was president, and also served as district administration. Taylor was a constant presence at the little league park for half a century and provided incalculable hours of volunteerism to Nanticoke Little League.
Every year the ceremony ends with the announcement of “Play Ball” and players threw their hats into the air while screaming with excitement.
