McGowan honored on opening day

Grand Island baseball honored one of the Grand Island Little League's founders by dedicating a field at Veterans Park in his honor.

The late John McGowan was remembered at May 12's opening day ceremonies with a moment of silence and the dedication of Diamond 1. Members of the McGowan family were on hand for the ceremony, and his sons Andy and Corey threw out the first pitch to start the season.

McGowan died in August. He was a longtime supporter of Island baseball and one of the founders of the Grand Island Little League.

"John loved his family, John loved his friends, and John loved baseball," said McGowan's wife Patricia during the dedication ceremony. "To say dedicating a baseball diamond to John here at Veterans Park is an honor would be an understatement. No words would ever be able to express the gratitude and the pride that my family and I feel. John put his heart and soul into Little League baseball and into encouraging kids to enjoy the game."