A Patriot Remembers

Frank DeSorbo Albany Twilight League Pastime B aseball is the American Pastime, sure you’ve heard this phrase. Many have experienced baseball through their early introduction to sports, through their dreams, through their memories. Your fathers and grandfathers have lived Baseball’s American Pastime and now its time to pay it forward.

Founded in 1931, the Albany Twilight League is two years shy of being the oldest continuous amateur baseball league in the country. It is the Albany’s Baseball Pastime and the current time for our young high school and collegiate players. Some players move on to professional leagues and sometimes return to continue their youthful pastime.

Let’s keep our Albany Twilight League in our hearts and minds and appreciate our youth trying. As a great coach name Vince Lombardi said “Winning is not everything. The desire to win is. It is the only thing.” This is a very noble concept to cherish so our youth will strive and compete – honestly.

Recently, I was introduced to a veteran of the Albany Twilight League and a veteran of WWII through the Schenectady Ole Timers Baseball Club (exists over 25 years). The player will be 100 years old in June and the name of Jerry Terry will bring us back to the Twilight glory days. The Albany Twilight League is honoring its 90th season with a commemorative book. A scrap book (over one inch thick) prepared by Richard Barrett and the late Ed Delehanty covered the first 75 years through 2005. We will not match that endeavor but our efforts are to continue Albany’s community pastime so that the league is not a passed time. You may see a future MLB player or a former MLB player’s baseball card in our booklet.

Advertising space in our commemorative book is $150 a full 8 x 10 inch page, $100 and $50 for a half and quarter page. Send advertising or a story to Bill Miles, 8 Criswood Drive, Albany NY 12205 or to me at 17 Glendale Ave Delmar 12054 or fomservice@aol.com. Also for you social media types see albanytwilightleague.com and face book.

Remember, “you only become 90 once.” Share the season at ball games at Bleecker Stadium, St. Rose’s Pulmeri Sports Complex or Kelts Field in Waterford. The league has expanded to eight teams and the brand of ball is exciting as I witnessed in the playoffs last August.

Thank You and umpiringly yours, Frank.

From page 11 ... Once a paper person

12 SENIOR SPOTLIGHT — APRIL 2020 for several years. Little did I know at the time, I would stay for over 30 years. I got my associate’s degree from Empire State College, followed by my bachelor’s in arts going to Saint Rose and SUNY. My wonderful wife helped me type my term papers and corrected my spelling. NO computer back then — typewriter only — and no spell check either.

Throughout my life, I feel I have helped people in the City of Albany. I served as a board member of the YMCA for 10 years; a Democratic Committee man for 20 years and served on the Albany Zoning Board 18 years. I was also an Albany County legislator for 10 months, filling in for one of the members who had to step down for health reasons. Howard Joyce, the chairman, told me I achieved more in 10 months than some of the guys who had been there for 10 years. For political reasons, my seat was vacated. I also served six years in the National Guard.

After working 31 years and helping a lot of young boys at LaSalle School, I was forced to retire by the new administration, a retirement caused by health issues. The Brothers were down to just a few and the new people in charge were business first with the welfare of the boys, second and even third.

I started a handyman business, which lasted six years. I realized at 65 years old that it was too dangerous for me to be climbing on roofs, cutting down trees, etc.

Again, God took care of me. My sister-in-law was working in sales for a newspaper that is now called, The Spot 518. I got a job at first delivering monthly magazines. Then, because delivery people were leaving, I now have a weekly route in Albany and two magazine routes. Again, the money delivering papers helps me with family obligations.

At the age of 75, I’m lucky to be with my wonderful family. My wife keeps me happy and enjoying life. My granddaughter just graduated, with honors, from Ohio State University. She is going on for her master’s degree to become a registered nurse, or an RN. My grandson is a freshman in high school and has been on the honor roll since elementary school. I also have another part-time job as supervisor of the City of Albany Crossings Guards in the northern part of Albany.

Life the title of this story, “Once a paper person, always a paper person.” It helped me pay bills when I was 14 and it’s still helping me now. I keep on working. No retirement from LaSalle, but I did leave with health benefits and knowing I helped a lot of boys go on to better lives. I still see some of them occasionally; a lot are now married with families of their own. When I’m out and about and they see me, they immediately walk over. Sometimes it’s hard for me to recognize them at first, as they have changed from boys to men. Once we connect, the memories come back. They always thank me and that is worth more to me than anything. “God has been good to me.”