Little League 

preparing for 65th 

Opening Day

Special to the Putnam Town Crier

On Saturday, April 16 the Putnam Little League, under the direction of President Kyle Aldrich, will hold opening day ceremonies for the 65th time in the history of the program.  Opening Day will have some similarities and many differences from the original day that took place on Father’s Day 1951.

In 1951 when the program was formed thanks to community leaders, the Little League boasted four teams and four minor league teams all composed of boys ages nine through 12.  The day commenced with a parade through the pre-1955 Flood streets of Putnam, where hundreds of citizens lined the streets to cheer on their favorite teams.

The players, on teams then-named Red Sox, Braves, Yankees and Giants marched to the original Little League field that was on Providence Street approximately in the vicinity of right field on the softball field currently at Owen Tarr Field.  The field on that day had an outfield fence, which was a snow fence that was rolled out and rolled in each season by the volunteer leaders of the program.

On that day, according to the archives of the former Putnam Patriot, the field, basked in sunshine perfect for baseball, was surrounded by more than 800 spectators.

Opening Day 2016 will once again feature a parade.  The players, boys and girls, different than the all-male league in 1951, will gather at Rotary Park and march to the Little League field at Murphy Park.  (Note – Rotary Park was created after the Flood of 1955.  Houses occupied the Rotary Park space in 1955.  The Murphy Park Little League complex came into existence in either 1953 or 1954.)

This year’s parade will include the 187 youngsters, boys and girls, participating on 20 teams ranging from T-ball (ages 4 to 6) through Senior League players (ages 14-16).  They will be escorted by Putnam’s finest, the Police and Fire Departments, league officials and the mascots of the Norwich Tigers and the Hartford Yard Goats.  

A brief speaking program and Opening Day ceremony is planned upon arrival at “Billo” Freniere Little League Field at Murphy Park.  The National Anthem will be sung by Putnam resident Kiera Fontaine.   Ronald P. Coderre, one of the original Little Leaguers from 1951, will speak and the first pitch will be thrown out by the mascots.  A special attraction will be the arrival of the American flag flown in by a sky diver from Danielson Skydive.

“We have a great group of individuals working with the league and players this season.  We’re all anxiously looking forward to getting the season off on a high note.  Baseball has always been special in Putnam and we want to continue to grow the tradition,” said Aldrich.

Aldrich has lined up a group of enthusiastic people to assist with the Little League this season.  Kevin House is the vice president; Sean Dempsey, player agent; Julie Carita, treasurer; Kristine Renege, secretary; Tim Reidy, vice president of  T-ball and minor league; Randy Johnson, umpire-in-chief; and Sarah Aldrich, concessions director. 

“Our directors and staff have been working hard all winter to make this Opening Day exciting.  We want our players to enjoy the Little League experience.  I hope that the community will turn out to recognize and honor the players and coaches,” said President Aldrich.

The Putnam Little League is the oldest continuously operating Little League in northeastern Connecticut.