Throgs Neck Little League held its 60th anniversary opening day parade and on-the-field celebration that featured a special remembrance of league volunteer Robert Bonamassa.
Bonamassa’s son Michael Bonamassa threw out the first pitch, and his widow Louise Bonamassa received flowers, after the parade made its way from Lafayette and E. Tremont Avenues to the field at 150 Throgs Neck Boulevard.
“The Throgs Neck Little League and the neighborhood have been very supportive, and we couldn’t ask for anything more,” said Michael Bonamassa at the ceremony.
Robert Bonamassa had volunteered with the league for three decades, his wife said.
Mother Nature blessed the league with weather in the 70s, and lots of sunshine, said TNLL secretary Frank Eisele.
“As Bob Jonap used to say, God loves the Throgs Neck Little League,” Eisele said about the weather on opening day. “It will not rain on our parade.”
In attendance and speaking during the on-field ceremony were U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, Senator Jeff Klein, Assemblyman Michael Benedetto, former assemblyman Steve Kaufman, Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., former Borough President Adolfo Carrion Jr., Councilman James Vacca, Community Board 10 district manager Kenneth Kearns, and a representative from Congressman Joseph Crowley.
By working with Speaker Quinn, Councilman Vacca told the crowd that he was able to secure another $500,000 in funding for improvements to the city-owned baseball field over two years.
“This money is the best investment that I can make with the resources that I have, because we are counting on this generation just as previous generations have counted on this one,” Vacca said.
The money should be used for upgrades to the fencing, lighting, and clubhouse, among other items, Vacca said.
