Sports

Little League Celebrates League And Founders

Swampscott Little League celebrated the games of baseball and softball with a parade and those who built the program in town with a dedication ceremony.

 

This article was submitted by Mike Pegnato.

In a sure sign that summer is around the corner, some 500 Swampscott Little Leaguers and their families took to the streets on a beautiful Sunday morning earlier this spring for the annual parade.

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This year's parade was exceptionally momentous as the ceremonies concluded with a dedication and renaming of the Forest Ave. field complex to the in honor of the 50-plus years of service from SLL "founding fathers" Al Duratti, Andy Holmes, and Al Cerone.

Led by Swampscott Police and Fire vehicles and the North Shore Navigator's Mascot ("Chomps the Gator"), boys and girls from age 4-14 years old laughed, screamed, and marched their way from Hadley School to the Forest Ave fields.

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Upon arrival at the beautiful baseball and softball field complex, Little League Board member and parade organizer Mike Pegnato welcomed the players, coaches, parents, and families, and thanked all for their continued support and contributions to the success of the league.

Pegnato then turned the microphone over to the team managers and each player introduced themselves to the roaring cheers of the hometown crowd. As the Little Leaguer's exited the field they were treated to "high-fives" and "fist-bumps" from Swampscott High Varsity baseball coach T.J. Baril and members of the S.H.S. baseball team.

The ceremonies concluded with a touching dedication and re-naming of the Forest ave field to "Duratti-Holmes-Cerone Field" by SLL Board Member/Coach and organizer of the Duratti-Holmes-Cerone tribute, Dan Santanello.

Santanello was surrounded by surviving members of the Duratti, Holmes, and Cerone families as he read aloud the astounding "on-field" accomplishments by the trio, while emphasizing the incredible, positive "off-field" impact these men had on hundreds of Swampscott youth.

The crowd erupted in thunderous applause when the new Duratti-Holmes-Cerone field sign was unveiled. A great reminder to all of the importance of volunteerism in our community, schools, and sports.


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