Family members, friends and local civic leaders were among the more than 300 people who recently attended the Woodhaven WORKS Little League 2015 Awards Ceremony celebrating the achievements of local youth athletes during the past baseball season.
During the Oct. 25 ceremony at the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Queens in Richmond Hill, little leaguers were presented with trophies, rewarding them for all of their hard work throughout the 2015 season.
Terry Flanagan, WORKS Little League president, said that the league has thrived for over 50 years due to strong local sponsorship and active parent participation. Since 1958, the league, formerly known as the Rich-Haven Little League, has been bringing fun and teaching sportsmanship to children in the greater Woodhaven area.
“This is a wonderful experience for the players and their families,” Flanagan said. “They have fun and learn sportsmanship playing a game they love. The kids receiving trophies put in the work and deserve the honor and public recognition from the community.”
Among the attendees were state Senator Joseph Addabbo, Assemblyman Mike Miller, Capo’s Awards Owner Paul Capocasale and Queens County Women’s Bar Association President and parent of a Woodhaven WORKS little leaguer, Lourdes Ventura.
Ventura cheered for her son as he received his trophy and encouraged other parents to sign their children up for “a great experience” playing in the Woodhaven WORKS Little League.
“The league is one of the cornerstones of our community and a great place for your kids to have fun, meet new friends and learn about teamwork,” Ventura said. “It is great to see the players happy and smiling after receiving their trophies.”
Capocasale, who is also the immediate past president of the Ozone Park Kiwanis Club, which made a $2,000 donation to the WORKS Little League Challenger Division, was thrilled to see how many people showed up to support the youngsters as they got their trophies.
“Today is a great day for our players and a great day to celebrate the wonderful families that make up our community,” Capocasale said. “The WORKS Little League provides a great opportunity for us to support the kids and celebrate family which makes this all possible.”
Flanagan said that team sponsorship was very important to the success of the league and hopes to see the great sponsorships continue. Sponsoring a team costs $400, which includes the sponsor’s business name displayed on the team’s hat for the entire season as well as receiving exposure during the league’s annual parade down Jamaica Avenue.
Flanagan announced that team registration is currently open for next spring at a cost of $100 for the season; participants must bring proof of age and residency. For more information, call 718-847-9633.
