NORTON "FAMILY' FIELD
OFFICIAL DEDICATION, SEPTEMBER 12, 2024
Huntington Township Supervisor Ed Smyth asks those in attendance how many went on to coach after their playing days during the dedication ceremony...At least 85% raised their hands.
FIELD SIGNAGE
Official field dedication sign hung on first base dugout, facing toward behind the backstop area.
FIELD SIGNAGE
Official field dedication sign hung on third base dugout, facing toward behind the backstop area.
Township of Huntington Dedication Speakers
ed smyth
JIllian guthman
JIllian guthman
The Township of Huntington Supervisor
JIllian guthman
JIllian guthman
JIllian guthman
The Township of Huntington Receiver of Taxes
Dedication "Family" Speakers
TODD JAMISON
Three sport YMCA and HAC star Todd Jamison served as our master of ceremonies, very fitting since he is the current Town of Huntington Director of Parks and Recreation. He served as the perfect bridge from the two speakers representing the Township of Huntington to our "Family
speakers. Todd went on to star at Huntington High school and b
Three sport YMCA and HAC star Todd Jamison served as our master of ceremonies, very fitting since he is the current Town of Huntington Director of Parks and Recreation. He served as the perfect bridge from the two speakers representing the Township of Huntington to our "Family
speakers. Todd went on to star at Huntington High school and become a football All-American at St. John's, before returning to coach at his alma mater and then moving to his current position.
BONNIE ROBERTSON
Bonnie Robertson started out as a day camper at the Norton Athletic Club, going on to participate in both the batting babes softball in house league and the bouncing babes basketball in house league -- the first athletic leagues for girls in the area. She went on to play for the Mice -- the preeminent women's softball team on Long Island,
Bonnie Robertson started out as a day camper at the Norton Athletic Club, going on to participate in both the batting babes softball in house league and the bouncing babes basketball in house league -- the first athletic leagues for girls in the area. She went on to play for the Mice -- the preeminent women's softball team on Long Island, for both the YMCA and Huntington Athletic Club. Also coaching in the same leagues she formerly played in. She went on to a long career coaching high school sports on the Island.
JIM RUCK
eDDIE NORTON
Dr. Jim Ruck was our next planned speaker, and he was an integral part of the both the Norton Athletic Club and Huntington YMCA days of the "Family" Legacy. A star high school hoops legend, helped coach, ref, even run some of the in house leagues. The second stint at the YMCA he was part of the big three that basically ran the summer day
Dr. Jim Ruck was our next planned speaker, and he was an integral part of the both the Norton Athletic Club and Huntington YMCA days of the "Family" Legacy. A star high school hoops legend, helped coach, ref, even run some of the in house leagues. The second stint at the YMCA he was part of the big three that basically ran the summer day camp -- he, along with Bobby Ottewill and Bette Errig. He went on to long career in various roles on the high school, ultimately becoming the superintendent of the Sachem school district.
eDDIE NORTON
eDDIE NORTON
It wasn't part of the agenda for me to speak, but Todd called an audible and we ran with it. After a few words, I was able to also say several thank you's, and then segue into the ceremonial firsts representing all four sports. Thank you again to everyone at the town of Huntington that made this happen, and also helped make it such a special event.
CEREMONIAL "FIRSTS"
BASEBALL
The ceremonial first pitch for baseball included STEVE SEELY on the mound, throwing to JOHN PECORELLA behind the plate, with JOE FORTE up to bat.
Despite being reminded not to swing, of course, Joe went on to swing at every Seely pitch thrown!
SOFTBALL
The ceremonial first pitch for softball included GAIL WASMUS doing the pitching, GAIL LAMBERTA handling the catching, and SHERRY MESSINGER at the plate.
Sherry thankfully did not pull a Joe Forte, and Gail's first pitch was a perfect strike!
FOOTBALL
BASKETBALL
The ceremonial first pass for football included three members of the undefeated 1968 Bobcats: BOB DRISCOLL snapped the ball to JOE GAZZINI, who then threw the pass to RICHIE MILLS.
Though Bob wasn't a center, it was a perfect snap to QB who threw a strike to Richie -- who admitted afterwards he almost went down!
Please see video below:
BASKETBALL
BASKETBALL
The ceremonial first play run for basketball featured JOEY CROCCO feeding a pass to JACK SMOLOKOFF for the layup after coming off a pick by CHRIS DUFFY.
It was even money being wagered that Big Jack would bring down the temporary rim set up on the backstop, but he laid it in with no problem!
Ceremonial "Passing of the torch"
HARRY WALLER, a large part of the growth of the original Legacy -- active in the NAC, YMCA, and HAC, passed the torch as TODD JAMISON oversaw the passing, himself a huge part of the YMCA and HAC days, and current purveyor of the Legacy in the Huntington as the town's Director of Parks & Recreation, and JERED GOODWIN received it, a part of the Florida branch of the Legacy "Family" -- a Hall of Fame baseball coach, who does whatever he can for those who have and those that still do play for him, representing the carrying on of the Legacy.
Candids, randoms, and posed pics from field dedication
The calm before the storm -- milling around before the dedication.
Congrats to John Ferguson for being in the right place at the right time this year!
More "pregame" milling around with Jack Smolokoff apparently holding court.
More milling around, still "pregame"...Not exactly sure what Gail seems to be doing???
John and Frank Pecorella, form a mini-Whitman contingent with Harry Waller and Steve Henry.
More pregame milling around and Berger appears to be monologue-ing about who know what...
Richie Mills and Don Ryan -- a pair of Hempstead legends!
Gary Lamberta shaking hands with his new-found idol Harry Waller as his sister and Tommy Smith look on.
Charlie Forte and Jerry Asher filling in the Long Islander reporter on some "Family" history. Poor guy had know idea what he was in for...
Tom and MaryAnne Granato
Charlie Forte, Steve Henry, Eddie Norton, Joe Forte, Harry Waller, Mike Russell, Mark Henning.
John Ferguson, Charlie Forte, Harry Waller, and Buzz Baum
Tom Lederer, Eddie Norton, Joe Forte, Todd Jamison, Chris Duffy, and Peter Duffy.
Frank Driscoll, Mike Russell, Jim Ruck, and Joe Forte (bat already in hand).
Dennis Anderson, Buzz Baum, Ricky Sangiovani, John Pecorella, Brian Asher, Jerry Asher, Gail Wasmus, Eddie Norton, Sherry Messinger, Jack Smolokoff, Joe Crocco, Steve Henry
Director Jamison shakes hands with Dr Ruck after the latter's speech.
John Pecorella, Steve Seely, and Joe Forte, about to be introduced for the ceremonial fist pitch -- baseball.
You can actually see Joe preparing to swing as John awaits Steve's pitch...
"Remember, don't actually swing Joe..."
The baseball guys discussing how Joe hurt his finger when he swung (when he wasn't supposed to)
Hall of Famer Gail Wasmus out of retirement to throw a perfect strike on the first pitch!!!
"See Joe - Sherry let the pitch go by as planned and didn't swing..."
The '68 Bobcats share congratulatory handshakes after the completed pass.
We honestly all thought that Big Jack was going to tear down the temporary backboard and rim, but to his credit after a power move he just laid it in as Chris and Joey looked on...
Phil Weber wasn't kidding last year about playing with Todd -- Mr Jamison is trying to make himself the first option for our basketball guys!
5 of the 8 named to all three boys' Legacy teams: Alan Fromkin, Joe Gazzini, Harry Waller, Frank Driscoll, Todd Jamison.
Not pictured: Myron Bell, John Ryder, Kurt Sohn.
Careful Frank, don't let Gary Lamberta see you shaking hands with his crush Bonnie...
First base: Bonnie Robertson, Gail Wasmus, Frank Driscoll, John Pecorella, Mike Russell
Mice bat girl and bat boys: Ursie Roselle, Joe Gazzini, Mark Henning, Eddie Norton, Harry Waller
Jered Goodwin, Jerry Asher, and Joe Forte.
This year's John Ferguson award -- better late than never: Judy Spina (who went to Heckscher first)
Though he couldn't travel, Sam Coles had his shirt on and was there in spirit - sharing a letter he wrote and buying a round at Finnegan's!
Just basking in the aura that is the Legend, Joe Forte...
Norton "Family" Legacy Honor Boards officially hung a week after the dedication and Legacy Celebration
Norton "Family" Field Resolution passed on October 23, 2023
Resolution passed by town council, 5-0!
Immediately after the resolution was passed, our leadership group appeared in photos with the Huntington Town Council. Our contingency included, left to right: Eddie Norton, Jerry Asher, Leo Driscoll, Todd Jamison, Gail Lamberta, Harry Waller, Steve Henry, and Tommy Forte.
Thank you to the council, specially councilwoman Joan cergol
Pictured above is Jerry Asher addressing the Town Council with a brief history and expressing our gratitude and appreciation for the resolution passing.
thank you to our legacy leadership group
Pictured above is Tommy Forte taking his turn addressing the council, stressing the overall influence of our group, our love for the town of Huntington, and our appreciation. Gail Lamberta, Leo Driscoll, and Eddie Norton also took turns at the podium.
future site of norton "family" field!
Gail, Jerry, Leo, Eddie, Harry, and Steve scooted over to Mill Dam to get a picture at field #2 -- soon to be Norton Family Field. The Family part truly being quotational, as the field is actually dedicated to all of those who ever participated: campers, counselors, 'Cats and Mice, coaches and volunteers, moms and dads...