One great Little League season

September is upon us, the kids are back in school, and the Forest Park Little League has completed its very successful 2008 season. I’d like to acknowledge the many people who made this great summer possible.

Thanks goes out to all of the players, managers, coaches, team moms, members of the Women’s Auxiliary and the many volunteers who donated their time this past season. Our league wouldn’t be all that it is without wonderful people like you.

A big thank you goes out to the Forest Park Liquor Association, Randy Standish, manager of Ultra Foods, the owners of Ed’s Way Grocery and Freddie’s Pizza for donating the food and drinks for our fundraisers, as well as the hot dogs for the Dug Out Café.

To all of the local businesses who sponsored a team or donated to our league, I want you to know how much everyone appreciates your support. Our league would not be able to function without you.

I also would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Park District of Forest Park, especially Larry Piekarz and his maintenance staff providing our children with the best baseball fields in Illinois.

Also, I would like to send a special thank you to the staff of the Howard Mohr Community Center of Forest Park. I am unable to express the sadness I feel over the loss of our beloved Beverly Thompson. Bev was one of the kindest people I’ve ever known and she showed her generous spirit continuously when it came to the Forest Park Little League. It was an honor to have her throw out the first pitch during our Opening Day ceremonies, and it will remain a cherished memory for all of us who loved Bev.

Finally, I would like to thank my fellow board members, Treasurer Dave Pyan, Vice President/Secretary Mark Gordon, Bob Dowdle, President of Girls’ Softball, Terry Watson, President of the Women’s Auxiliary and Caroline Eibenberger, President of the Events Committee. These men and women devoted countless hours to make the league the very best it can be for our children. It has been an honor and a privilege to work with each and every one of these incredible people.

I look forward to seeing everyone again next April when we begin the 2009 Forest Park Little League season.

Rich Gray
President, Forest Park Little League