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July 17, 2015
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Throop dedicates two new Little League fields by Dave Lauriha
SPECIAL TO THE VALLEY ADVANTAGE
Jim “Blackie” Caria sat in the third base dugout at the new Little League baseball field at the Throop Borough Softball/Baseball Complex, and the years rolled through the 78-year-old’s head. His eyes glimmered, and one could imagine Caria in his uniform, hands grabbing for a bat or a glove, itching to be out on the field the way he was back in 1950, when he played youth baseball even before Throop had received its charter from Little League Baseball in 1953. As the memories flew through his mind, a smile came to his face as he stated the obvious. “The field looks great,” said Caria, who has been president of the Throop Little League since 1976. Now it’s his field. On Sunday, a ceremony christened Caria Field, named for the 65-year veteran of Throop baseball, one who has dedicated his life to Little League, doing what he could to make a child’s day brighter on the baseball diamond. Also on the ceremony’s schedule was the rededication of the softball field and the original baseball field that have been serving Throop players for years. The Mary Lou Regan softball field was named for a woman who helped bring Miss-e softball to Throop in 1969, with the Red, Purple, Blue and Green teams playing. Frank Lucas was one of the founders of Little League Baseball in Throop, another long-time contributor and volunteer and the boys baseball field will continue to carry his name. But with a bright red tarp over the outfield fence and Throop Little League spelled out in contrasting white in right-center field, the star of the town’s $850,000 project was clear and it was ready to be unveiled. The sharp red score-
Kneeling, from left: Joe Zagursky, Throop Little League board member; and Throop mayor Wayne Williams. Standing, Frank Galli, Throop Booster Club president; Throop councilman John Musewicz; Jim ‘Blackie’ Caria; master of ceremonies Tony Zelazny; Throop councilwoman Charlene Tomasovitch; event organizer Ed Long; and Throop councilman Mark Mazak.
board stood behind the leftfield fence, ready for the Olyphant and Throop teams that christened the field later that evening. Caria Field is going to be home to a number of teams, and Little League administrators in the local district are sure to put all-star games on the field as often as they can. To some, it was easy to give Caria Field its name. “It was a committee decision,” said Throop councilman John Musewicz, who was on that committee of five that included Throop mayor Wayne Williams. “He has been involved in Little League Baseball here for 65 years.” Caria, who has been a player, manager and a behind-the-scenes guy doing what was necessary for the complex over those years, felt honored to have his name attached to the field, which runs 210 feet down the lines and 225 to center. “It was a surprise at first,” Caria said. “But then, I figure I’m about the only one left that
started this club. “What feels good, at least I lived long enough to have given something back to this town.” What he has noticed through the years was that the more things change, the more they stay the same. “We played the game the way it’s played now, “Caria said. “The only differences were we played up on Washington Street, and there were no fences or lights. Sometimes, you had a broken bat to swing. “Now, it’s the best of everything, safety, everything.” The new field has fenced off an area behind home plate, which will keep the fans away from the field, and the field dimensions will challenge the best the 9- to 12-year-olds can offer. Spacious dugouts offer plenty of room for the players and coaches. All that’s left to do is for the players to create some new memories, and that is something that Caria is eager to see.
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