Volume 21, Number 52
Serving Durham, Middlefield and Rockfall
www.TownTimes.com
Friday, May 2, 2014
At 25, Coginchaug Little League is going strong By Diana Carr
Special to Town Times
Campers enjoy Red, White, and Blue Day at Durham Recreation’s Summer Playground in 2013. | Mark Dionne\Town Times.
Durham Recreation to move Summer Playground camp By Mark Dionne
the recreation camp for children in grades one through seven, has traditionally been Durham Recreation Di- located at Allyn Brook Park. rector Sherry Hill has a busy Because of a construction summer planned for her de- project expected to close partment, including new Pickett Lane for the summer, and returning programs and the Summer Playground a new location for the Sum- will take place at John Lyman Elementary School in mer Playground camp. The Summer Playground, Middlefield.
Town Times
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ND
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FRIDAY MAY 2ND 6:35 PM
POST-GAME FIREWORKS DISPLAY PRESENTED BY
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SATURDAY MAY 3RD 6:35 PM
BOY SCOUT NIGHT ROCK & ROLL SATURDAY PRE-GAME HAPPY HOUR PRESENTED BY TWISTED TEA
See Camp / Page 19
SUNDAY MAY 4TH 1:35 PM
PINK IN THE PARK DAY WITH PINK CAP GIVEAWAY PRESENTED BY HEALTHMART CARNATION GIVEAWAY PRESENTED BY
GORDON BONETTI FLORIST FAMILY FUN DAY PRESENTED BY
HARTE NISSAN & INFINITI
See League / Page 19
MONDAY MAY 5TH 6:35 PM
CINCO DE MAYO CELEBRATION ALL YOU CAN EAT BUFFET
TUESDAY MAY 6TH 6:35 PM
KIDS JERSEY GIVEAWAY $1 KAYEM HOT DOGS
WEDNESDAY MAY 7TH 10:35 AM
BASEBALL IN EDUCATION DAY PRESENTED BY DATTCO WINNING WEDNESDAY
URE STARS SEE THE FUFTTHE O ANKEES! NEW YORK Y WITH GUEST
STARS
NEW BRITAIN STADIUM MAY 2 - 4
MAY 5 - 7
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LIVE!
NEW BRITAIN ROCK CATS
STANLEY BLACK & DECKER
“We’re going to have our program over there. The town wants us to keep this area clear,” Hill said. The construction project, funded with state Small Town Economic Assistance Program funds, is an extensive repair of the culvert lo-
Can we think of spring without thinking of Coginchaug Little League? For 25 years local youth have been sliding into home base, tossing that mean curve ball, and having the time of their lives. CLL was born 25 years ago, when Durhamite Al Herzog, along with the presidents of the Durham and Middlefield leagues, merged the leagues into one. “He felt that would make for a stronger league,” said Scott Strang, vice president of CLL. “It was time. The kids were going to school together, and the towns were integrated with their programs.” Approximately 500 players, ages five to 15, on 40 teams, comprise the boys’ and girls’ baseball and softball teams. “Kids of all ages and abilities are eligible to play,” said Tom Wenchell, CLL president. “Our league directors work to find an appropriate level for each child, ensuring that they have fun and can develop as players. We also want them to learn life lessons, like teamwork, dedication, and sportsmanship.” The home games, which
began on April 11 (Opening Day was April 26), are played at Allyn Brook Park, Durham. They go until the end of the school year, and are followed by the Little League International Tournament. Little League International is a non-profit organization that organizes local youth baseball and softball leagues throughout the United States and the world. As many as seven CLL teams, at various levels in baseball and softball, are in games around the state. CLL was the 2013 District 9 League of the Year. “This was based on our hosting of games and other things,” Wenchell said. “Our teams were very successful. Scott’s team went to the state finals.” And summer’s end doesn’t mean baseball caps have to be hung up. “For the past 10 years or so, we have had a very active fall baseball and softball program,” Strang said. “It’s part of CLL, and is played almost entirely with other towns. With 130 eight to 13-year-olds, the program works on skill development. There’s more focus on practice and less focus on games.”