The 46th season of the JP Regan Youth League has come to a close with another great year of close pennant races, exciting playoff games, and new friendships and memories. The League continued to reflect the diversity of the neighborhood, with 850 boys and girls playing more than 300 games on fields across Jamaica Plain.
The closing ceremonies on June 27 featured hundreds of players and their families gathering at Daisy Field, where the season was closed out with the annual picnic, which included all-star games, food, award presentations and raffle prizes.
Seniors coach Susan Moir and AA softball coach Rebekah Schlesinger received the Jamie Winshall awards as the baseball and softball coaches who demonstrated the highest principles of sportsmanship over the course of the season. Thanks to the work of Bill Perkins and his assistants, the picnic was a green event, with more than 90 percent of all trash recycled or composted.
In July, the league assembled four baseball teams and one softball team to compete in the Mayor’s Cup baseball and softball tournaments to represent the neighborhood against teams from around the city.
Thanks to funding from the Boston Center for Youth and Families Summer Fun grant and sponsorships from Maura Hennigan, Hyde Square Task Force and SuperFlash T-Shirts, the league was able to operate the Summer Pony baseball program in July and August. The league also entered summer teams in the Boston RBI and The Base leagues to give opportunities for youth ages 13-18.
Thanks to the local businesses and organizations that sponsored 54 teams. We especially thank league sponsors: Hyde Square Task Force, Interstate Rental Service, Morrison’s Auto-Rite, Stanley Service, CopyMakers, Arborview Companies, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston Building Resources, El Oriental de Cuba, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Pondside Dental Associates and The Maids.
Thanks also to the Boston Parks and Recreation Department and state Department of Conservation and Recreation for maintaining the fields. Special thanks go to the hundreds of volunteers who made the league a success this year, especially the coaches who gave young people the chance to learn new skills and make new friends in a safe and supportive atmosphere. Most of all, we want to thank the young people who played hard, listened to their coaches, and displayed great sportsmanship throughout the season.
Registration for the 2016 spring season will be held in March 2016. For more information about the JP Regan Youth League visit reganyouthleague.org.
Harry Smith
President
Jamaica Plain Regan Youth League
Jamaica Plain