Field to be Named For Duratti, Holmes and Cerone

Selectmen relented Monday and approved the naming of theLittle League field in memory of Al Duratti, Andrew Holmes and Alfio Cerone.

Selectmen appeared reluctant at the start of Monday's meeting to allow recognition for the men beyond plaques or a sign.

Selectmen Chairman Matt Strauss said naming a field would set a precedent and the board would be unable to say no if other leagues came to them with field naming requests. 

But Little League President Scott Sagan and Board of Directors Dan Santanello, Rob Hopkins and Jim Kirby all said the contributions from the three longtime Little League supporters were special.

At least two of them worked on behalf of Little League to the very end of their lives. Al Duratti was coaching this summer, the summer he died.

The three youth baseball supporters volunteered for about a combined 140 baseball seasons, enriching the lives of kids in town.

In short, they represent a special circumstance because the town is not likely to see this kind of a commitment any time soon, the baseball officials said.

"I think this is different," Santanello said.

Selectman Jill Sullivan said her gut reaction was that a plaque or other physical memorial at the field would properly recognize the men.

But she deferred to the Little League officials' arguments. 

"You seem pretty firm in your desire to do this," she said.

Selectman Rich Maligrifa supported the field naming from the get go on Monday.

"I think having a field named after them is appropriate," he said.

In the end selectmen voted 4-1 to support naming the field after Duratti, Holmes and Cerone.

The selectmen's chairman voiced the lone no vote.