Little League's first pitch in Albany

On June 7, 1952, the Times Union covered the first Little League Opening Day in Albany -- a doubleheader between the Clinchers and Red Sox and Trading Ports and Patroons at Johnny Evers Memorial Park, located at Woodlawn Avenue and Partridge Street.

Albany Little League, Inc., had been founded the year before by F. Joseph Leone of the Junior Chamber of Commerce and would in 1955 come to be known as National Little League of Albany. National is still located at Woodlawn and Partridge and is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2026.

1,000 Watch Little Bow

Little League baseball made its official Albany debut yesterday with all the fanfare of its big brother – organized ball – and everything in miniature except the crowd of nearly 1,000 that overflowed Johnny Evers Memorial Park.

Long before opening ceremonies it was apparent the youngsters of 8-12, who make up four teams in the circuit sponsored by the Junior Chamber of Commerce, would play to a full house. By the time the Clinchers had finished beating the Red Sox, 6-2, in the opener of the doubleheader, spectators lined the four-foot fence surrounding the park.

The JayCees, who in evenings and weekends of labor building the fence, grandstand, covered dugouts, as well as constructing the two-thirds size diamond (60-foot baselines and 40-foot pitching distance) gave the kids a fine sendoff.

THERE’S BAND, TOO

Menands grade school band, led by Miss Mary Martell, headed a parade lined up on Partridge St. for the march into the park and for flagraising ceremonies in the centerfield with Marines doing the honors.

Welcome by Judge John Boyd Thacher was followed by introduction of Owner Thomas McCaffrey of the Albany Senators, Manager Hack Burns and several of his players who got a big hand from the baseball-minded youngsters.

Also on hand were James Greig, Chamber of Commerce; Neal Moylan, outgoing president of the Junior Chamber; Joe Leone, JayCee and Little League president; Sports Editors Dick Walsh of the Times-Union and Charles Young of the Knickerbocker News, Little League commissioners.

Judge Thacher was “opening pitcher” for the first game and Mayor Erastus Corning did the honors for the second.

JUST LIKE BIG-TIME

Once “play ball!” sounded, the show was all by the youngsters, who proved themselves perfect mimics of adult performers.They hustled (really ran) on and off the field between innings, held hasty mound conferences with pitchers and kept up the chatter so traditional to baseball. Boys of 9 and 10 even glared at the umpire (paid) on doubtful calls. Each batter wore a protective headpiece.

There was a nice balance between hurlers, tossing a 5 ounce, 9 inch ball, and hitters swinging 33-inch bats. Although winner Remus Slattery (11) allowed only two hits, he struck out but four and Red Sox hurler Donnie Cohen, touched for six blows, fanned seven.

No balls were hit over the fence (180 feet from home at most places) in the opener. Clinchers’ Jim McMahon was the slugger with two singles, the latter coming with the bases loaded in a 3-run third.

Despite hard wind, outfielders had a perfect day but infielders bobbled a few. However, they threw out three would-be scorers at the plate.

Trading Ports threw the standings into a four-way tie by whipping the Patroons, 12-3, in the second game. They sent 13 to bat in the third inning. Paul Ellenbogen pitched a three-hitter and fanned 14.

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