Little League Sports Night Draws 1000-October 27, 1965

Annual Norwood Little League Sports Night Draws 1,000 Attendees, Featuring Major Leaguer “Skip” Lockwood as Guest Speaker

Group of five boys posing with trophies at a sports awards event, featuring a mix of expressions and attire.

Over 1,000 Players and Parents Gather at Norwood Junior High School

An enthusiastic crowd of approximately 1,000 Norwood Little League players and their parents filled the Norwood Junior High School auditorium last night for the organization’s annual Sports Night. The festive evening celebrated another successful season of youth baseball and highlighted the strong community backing that has sustained the program for 13 years.

Keynote addresses were delivered by prominent town figures, including Board of Selectmen Chairman Harry B. Butters, School Committee Chairman Henry Diggs, and Police Chief James Murphy. Little League President Charles Saraca praised the dedication of the players, parents, and adult volunteers, reaffirming the organization’s guiding principle: “Every boy in the town who wants to play little league baseball will be allowed to.”

Former Norwood Little Leaguer and Kansas City A’s Signee “Skip” Lockwood Headlines

The highlight of the evening was an appearance by major league pitcher Greg “Skip” Lockwood, a former Norwood Little Leaguer who recently signed a professional contract with the Kansas City Athletics for a reported $100,000 following his graduation from Catholic Memorial High School.

Lockwood demonstrated pitching grips—including how to throw a curveball—to rapt young leaguers Neil Miller, Richard Sanpay, Michael LeBlanc, and Jack Kennedy (in a photograph captured by Kenneth F. McLean). Addressing the audience, Lockwood emphasized that education must always come first while pursuing athletic dreams, and stressed that good conduct and teamwork on and off the field are essential traits for both professional athletes and gentlemen.

350 Trophies Awarded and League Leadership Recognized

President Saraca distributed a total of 350 trophies to participants across the league, honoring championship teams in the major leagues, minor leagues, and Pee Wee divisions. Among the prominent trophy recipients kneeling and standing on stage were Paul McEntree (representing the All Stars), Kevin Powers (American League Champions), Jerry Memmo (Minor League Champions), along with James Porter and Paul Brady (Pee Wee Champions).

Saraca also recognized the core executive team and founders who have guided the league since its inception:

Frank Wall: Sports night chairman, umpire-in-chief, and co-founder
Joseph Dolan: Vice president
Mrs. Marie Rogers: Secretary
Mrs. Catherine O’Hearn: Treasurer
Edward Lynch & Woody McEntee: Players’ agents
Robert Watts: Equipment manager
Edward Cluney: International league commissioner
James Nolan: Minor league commissioner

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger

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