We remember the days when there were three Little League organizations in East Boston and our teams participated in District 10 with Revere, Chelsea, Winthrop, and East Boston. One of the greatest players in East Boston was none other than Tony Conigliaro, the former Red Sox star for whom the Little League field at Noyes Park is named.
East Boston now has one Little League organization under the direction of president Chucky Cassaro and league All-Star teams compete in District 12 Tournaments with teams from Malden, Medford Melrose, Everett, and Somerville. But the one league is certainly meeting the needs of children who want to participate in baseball, our national pastime. District 12 Administrator Bernie Colbert has been very hospitable in welcoming East Boston to its new district.
Cassaro, whose son, C.J., plays in the league, deflects credit for the league’s success to a number of adult leaders such as Nick Mosca, Eldon Thomas, Dr. Robert Gilbride, and Craig Pacitta who volunteer countless hours organizing and planning for the league which runs from April to the end of the summer. Players of all ages play in well-run and well-officiated games at the Senior, Major League, and Minor League levels.
Cassaro also points to the support the league has received from its legislative delegation including State Sen. Anthony Petruccelli, who was an outstanding baseball player and played varsity baseball at Boston College High School, State Rep. Adrian Madaro, and City Councilor Sal LaMattina. Joseph Ruggiero Jr. has also been a prominent and hard-working coach and supporter of EBLL.
So it’s wonderful to see our Little League fields abuzz with activity on game nights, with so many parents in attendance and the players competing hard and following the example of sportsmanship set by their coaches. Yes, TV ratings for baseball may be down nationally – and football has become the most popular sport in our country – but in East Boston, baseball will always be an important part of our springs and summers, thanks to volunteers like Chucky Cassaro and so many others, who through the years, have worked hard to keep the tradition of East Boston Little League alive and well.