GILL kicks off 2006 season with parade, awards ceremony

by Donna M. Webb
Grand Island Dispatch, May 12, 2006

The Grand Island Little League presented its annual awards to its outstanding players from the 2005 season at last Saturday’s opening ceremonies at Veterans Park. Award winners included Leah Geis, Tyler Hinaman, Derek Konopski, Eric Riederer, Rosalie Russell, Christina Ward and Tyler Yockey. (photo by Barbi Lare)

The Grand Island Little League kicked off its 2006 season last Saturday with a festive parade to Diamond No. 4 at Veterans Park.

The boys and girls, many of them already wearing the uniforms of their respective teams, were joined by members of Charles N. DeGlopper Memorial VFW Post 9249 who brought in the American flag, before Benjamin Goc, son of GILL President Mark Goc, recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

But the festivities did not end there.

“Each year, we give awards to various divisions in baseball and softball,” the older Goc said.

According to GILL Secretary Lisa Vanderbrook, secretary of Little League, the league’s coaches vote for a player they believe is most deserving of an award based on his or her achievements in the past season.

“Then the board gets the names, and we decide if there is a tie,” she said, noting that the winners usually receive multiple votes from coaches.

The following GILL players received distinguished plaques:

Boys leagues:

•Derek Konopski: Matthew D. and Allen T. Potter Memorial Award/PeeWee Sportsmanship.

•Eric Riederer: Matthew D. and Allen T. Potter Memorial Award/International Sportsmanship.

•Tyler Yockey: David M. Haller Jr. Memorial Award/Minors Sportsmanship.

•Tyler Hinaman: Cpl. Robert B. Luther Memorial Award/Majors MVP.

The Matthew and Allen Potter Memorial awards are in memory of two young Grand Island baseball players who were tragically killed, along with their father, in an auto accident. The Robert Luther Award is named in memory of a Grand Island soldier who died in combat on May 10, 1970 in Vietnam.

“It is a big, big thing to win these awards,” Vanderbrook said.

Girls leagues:

•Leah Geis: International Softball Sportsmanship Award.

•Rosalie Russell: Minor Softball Sportsmanship Award

•Christina Ward: Major Softball MVP Award.

A number of former GILL board members were also recognized for their service to the club. The honorees included John Chiarenza, Jean Greinert, Kirk Hinaman, Pete Pitts and Randy Shoemaker.

In addition to its awards, GILL officials presented its annual scholarships to two Grand Island High School seniors who previously participated in the league. This year’s winners were Cassi Carlson, who participated in the league’s softball program, and John Meka, who played on several GILL baseball teams. Each of the students received a $250 scholarship.

Once all the award ceremonies and fanfares ended, the time had finally come to “play ball.”

“All divisions were playing today,” Mark Goc said. “We had four games scheduled for each division.”