Lou Gehrig Youth Baseball and Softball Newsletter April 2021 Vol. 1 Issue 1 LGYBS 50 Dann Rd. East Amherst, NY 14051 |
Letter from the Chairman: I'd like to take a moment to introduce myself. My name is Mike Minnuto and I was approved as the new LGYBS Chairman late last year succeeding Dominic Creamer. Although I am new to this role, I'm not new to Lou Gehrig. Having two kids playing in this league, one each in baseball & softball, I'm excited to be a part of what I consider the finest youth organization in WNY. Joining me are several other new board members that you will hear from in this newsletter. Together, I believe we have a team in place to make a major impact for LGYBS. After a very different 2020 summer, we are very excited to say Welcome Back for the 2021 Lou Gehrig Baseball and Softball season! Almost 12 months ago we were in a very different position. The decision to postpone our 2020 House Season, although difficult, brought on a successful Fall Ball Season for over 900 baseball & softball players. Over the past year, LGYBS has undergone many changes. This newsletter is just one of them. Since last year, this board has been hard at work for this league. Over the next several newsletters, we hope to tell you more about all the exciting plans and improvements taking place at Lou Gehrig. Some you have seen or heard about already - such as the new website and BBQ Chicken Dinner Fundraiser. Others you will read about in our newsletters or see in person at our complex. We hope you are as excited as we are about the 2021 Lou Gehrig Baseball & Softball Season. This league is only as strong as the volunteers who step up to support it - from our Board Members, Coaches, Team Parents and all who support this league. We are always in need of more help. Please reach out to us if you would like to join us in supporting what we believe to be the finest youth organization in WNY. Once again... Welcome Back! We will see you in a few short weeks! Mike Minnuto LGYBS Chairman |
Message from the Treasurer: Greetings friends. As a Board we are pleased to announce the finalization of our 2021 league year fiscal budget. The adopted budget reflects our commitment to providing a first class experience to all of our expected 1,500 participants and countless spectators, while also adhering to our fiduciary responsibility as a Board. Following a very challenging 2020 season, we are all encouraged by our new and ever-evolving management model, with a renewed commitment to sustainability. To that end, expect to see more fundraisers, greater transparency, and more efficient application of assets. Thank you to all of our families who have come back after a year away, to our sponsors who remain paramount to our fiscal success, and to our countless volunteers. Mike Russo LGYBS Treasurer |
Order your exclusive Lou Gehrig Baseball & Softball 2021 gear today! Click the link below. https://lougehrigbaseball-softball2021.itemorder.com/ See flyer here |
Important Upcoming Dates: 4/13 - Team Parent Meeting - Jurek Post 7:00 pm 4/16-4/19 - Lou Gehrig Dick’s Sporting Goods Discount Days - 20% off! 4/20 - Jersey Pick Up Day 4/24 - Complex Clean Up and 1st Annual Chicken BBQ - click link below - https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSf420IA_t8FnZk6xj…/viewform |
4 Us 2 Remember - April 15th: Jackie Robinson Day
The New LGYBS Website |
Lou Gehrig Youth Baseball and Softball is proud to introduce a new website with updated features and easy navigation for the 2021 youth baseball and softball season. LGYBS.com is a one-stop destination for all the information your family needs for a successful season, in a mobile friendly environment. The newly launched website features league news, team schedules, key dates, facility information, level-by-level rules, and code of conduct details. New this year is also a volunteer reserve section labeled “Dibs” where families can sign up for volunteer shifts. In addition to the website, families can stay connected to their LGYBS team all season long with the league app, powered by SportsEngine. The app includes schedules, chat, activity feeds and more. When accessing the schedule portion of the app you will have the option to sync the team schedule to your personal mobile calendar. By subscribing to automatic updates, you will be sure to be aware of any future schedule changes. The free app can be found by searching “SportsEngine” in the app store or by visiting the links below: Apple https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sportsengine/id499597400 Google Play https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sportngin.android&hl=en_US&gl=US Gregg Pastore LGYBS Web Design and Communications |
Scorebook: Baseball Report |
Lou Gehrig Families: Currently Lou Gehrig Baseball has 50 house teams for the upcoming 2021 season and registration has been commensurate with our usual pre-pandemic levels. We appreciate everyone’s enthusiastic return to youth baseball! In addition, we are pleased to announce our Level Coordinators for the 2021 season: T-ball - Andrew Heim 1A - Charlie Smilinich 2A - Mike Minnuto Major B - Chris Costanzo Major A - Gregg Pastore Thank you to all our volunteer coaches and we are looking forward to getting back on the field for 2021 and continuing our commitment to player development at all levels. Sean McCarthy Baseball President Joe Spano Baseball Vice-President |
UMPIRES WANTED! LGYBS is looking for umpires! If your child is interested, please register by completing the Google form located at All interested Umpires must be at least 14 years old by April 1, 2021. In addition, all Umpires must complete all required paperwork and those under the age of 18 must acquire working papers from your school's Guidance Office. |
Scorebook: Softball Report |
The Lou Gehrig Lasers travel softball program offers teams from 8U through 18U. The Lasers teams have been working hard all winter at our indoor facility. In addition to weekly practices, many of the teams have been playing indoor games at Sahlen’s Park or traveling to Pinnacle Athletic Complex in Victor, NY. The girls and coaches are excited to start their league games and tournament season this spring. Our first travel softball tournament of the 2021 season at Lou Gehrig will be the 10U Summer Classic, May 28-30. Lou Gehrig Softball Lou Gehrig Softball is ready to start the season! Coaches are being selected, teams are being made, jerseys are all set and the season is fast approaching. After an excellent fall season, excitement for our spring house season is in full bloom. We would like to thank the following people for volunteering to coach this spring: Jeff Schwegler, Jamie Bannister, Kellie Morrell, Richard Mariano, Jonathan Gentile, Erik Kinyon, Dave Birkmeier, Chris Bogdan, Erin Lacki, Jeff Bagley, Greg Lindberg, Joe Spano, Doug Goeckel, Sean Keenan, Carla Frederick, Shannon Ragonnett, Bill Prescott, Kurt May, Chuck Bell, Mark Gunnarson, Jeff Ventura, Beth Faber, Harold Kothe, Diana Calandra, Nicole Schmidt, Andrea Wilson, and Katie McGowan. We would also like to thank our level coordinators: Diana Calandra, Erin Lacki, Karen Goeckel, and Nicole Schmidt, and we would of course like to thank everyone for volunteering and making LG the best it can be for all the student-athletes. As always, if you have any questions please contact us at the email addresses below. Derek Gilham President LG Softball – dgilham14@yahoo.com Greg Johel VP LG Softball – gjjohel@gmail.com |
Lou Gehrig Auxiliary News |
Team Parent Meeting: 4/13/2021 7:00pm Jurek Post Team parents will be provided with important information to provide support to the coach and team throughout the season. First Annual LG Chicken BBQ fundraiser: Join us in support of the Lou Gehrig Youth Baseball and Softball Organization. Money raised will go towards complex improvements. Team Photos will be May 22, 2021 with a rain date of 6/12/21. The schedule is forthcoming. Auxiliary President - Carole Waterman Co-Vice Presidents - Kelly Marcarian and Jean Costanzo |
Lou Gehrig Complex News |
Lou Gehrig Families: Here at LG we are approaching the 2021 with renewed emphasis on and dedication to one of our greatest assets: the Lou Gehrig facility itself. As of this writing fields have already been rolled, groomed, and leveled, and over the course of the next month and including Clean Up Day on April 24th further upkeep will take place with respect to the fields themselves, the batting cages, the concession stand, and the inclusion of LiveBarn as a means to keep track of all the action over the course of the summer. Together with Harold Kothe, our Director of Buildings and Grounds, and the entire grounds crew, we view ourselves as all being custodians and caretakers of the complex. As always, we appreciate and welcome your input, help, and cooperation in all things related to the complex. The sun never really sets at LG. Thank you. LGYBS Board
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2021 LGYBS Board Members
Mike Minnuto | Chairman |
Dominic Creamer | Ex-Officio Chairman |
Derek Gilham | Softball President |
Greg Johel | Softball Vice-President |
Sean McCarthy | Baseball President |
Joe Spano | Baseball Vice-President |
Carole Waterman | Auxiliary President |
Kelly Marcarian | Auxiliary Vice-President |
Jean Costanzo | Auxiliary Vice-President |
Joe Hoehman | Baseball/Softball Equipment Manager Director of Building Maintenance |
Harold Kothe | Director of Grounds and Field Maintenance Insurance |
Vince Mathews | Registrar Concession Stand Manager Asst. Director of Building Maintenance |
Gregg Pastore | Website/Communications |
Mark Rapp | Secretary |
Mike Russo | Treasurer |
Ray Rustowicz | House/Travel Trophy Coordinator |
Anthony Smith | Umpire-in-Chief |
Andrew Fish | Asst. Umpire-in-Chief |
Mike Wearne | Sponsorships |