Levittown International teams up with business Communlty to spruce up fields, Concesslon AREA
Advance correspondent
BRISTOL TOWNSHIP - cor nearly S0 years now the Levittown International Little League has provided an avenue for young kids to play ball, have fun and learn such character-building attributes as sportsmanship, commitment and teamwork.
Signups for the 2013 season are over and 300 players that make up 20 teams are ready WR WaNH WR WhH fiHOG. BuW FRaFhHs anG PanaJers have more on their minds than at-bats and tag-outs. This year, they’ve tackled a longdelayed and much needed project: renovating the infrastructure.
“We’d been discussing this for a long time but this year, a master carpenter met with us and our sister organization, the Lower Bucks County Legends, and said the work could be done,” said Jim Ryan, president of the league.
Mike Cox, the master carpenter, brought his skills and materials to the concession stand, WhH EOHaFhHrs, WhH fiHOG anG WhH SLFnLF arHa. BuW hH wasn’W aORnH. LHaJuH RIfiFLaOs, SarHnWs and community volunteers brought muscle anG PRrH PaWHrLaOs WR JLvH WhH SOayLnJ fiHOG and surrounding facilities a new look. Starting back in November, the group gutted the concession stand, installed new lighting, new plumbing and new walls. They completely renovated the two bathrooms - again, with donated materials.
:hHn WhH wRrN Ls finLshHG, 5yan saLG, WhH area will not only look better, it will improve the services that bring revenue to the league. cor instance, the workers are preparing to construct an A-frame canopy with room for six picnic benches so that the fans can root for the players from the shelter while having dinner or refreshments.
Ryan said that neighbors in the homes that surrRunG WhH fiHOG, ORFaWHG MusW EHhLnG WhH Benjamin cranklin Elementary School, often come to the concession stand on game nights WR fiOO SOaWWHrs WR WaNH hRPH IRr GLnnHr.
One of the major donors of time, materials and cash is ImageCare Maintenance Services (IMSF of Moorestown, N.J. The company made new lighting possible for the concession building and for the outside areas, said Brian Wilcox, a relative newcomer to Levittown International because his S-year-old daughter Braelyn will join the T-ball team this year.
Wilcox, who works at IMS, was recently appointed to the league’s board. IMS is a national company that manufactures, repairs and maintains illuminated signage.
0RsW RI LHvLWWRwn ,nWHrnaWLRnaO’s RIfiFLaOs grew up playing in Little League and many, like Wilcox, pass the tradition on to their children. Team shortstop Ryan’s son James, 15, is one example of the tradition. James, a student at Ryan, said he’s played since he was S and plans to continue.
“I love playing the game, the experience of it, and I love hanging out with my friends after school,” James said.
criend and teammate Thomas Watts, also 15, SOays firsW EasH, Ls aOsR a ORnJWLPH WHaP member and he plans to continue after he graduates from Harry S Truman High school and continues on to college.
On a recent Sunday afternoon, the trees were still bare of leaves and a chilly breeze signaled winter’s reluctance to let go, and the crack of baseballs against bats gave the only hint of spring’s approach. Practice was in full swing despite the cold. But opening day is not far off, Ryan said.
,n IaFW, WhH firsW JaPHs wLOO EH SOayHG Rn April S and the day will be marked with a craft fair at the site, just off Mill Creek Parkway near Green Lane. crom 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., vendors from Avon and other companies will sell their products, along with Levittown International, whose table will display for sale hats, T-shirts, sweatshirts and other items imprinted with the team logo.
“This is really good for the kids because it gives them something to do; it keeps them off the street corner,” Wilcox said.
Levittown International always welcomes donations to help keep the teams going and the maintenance up to date. Those wishing to donate may call 215-945-TT05.