The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-05-14
Nine Directors Named for Waterbury Democrat SnndLOt Baseball Leagues

A4o8t encouraging ana tnokOugnly
 enthusiastic has been the general
 response to the inaugural announce
 ment of, the formation of the Wa
 terbury Democrat Sandlot Baseball
 Federation, with indication, at this
 early date that there will be as many teams on hand as any organ-
 ization can comfortably handle by
 the time the youngsters begin league competition in late June.
 Today, the first entry blank for
 registration in the federation by teams desiring league competition in the 10 to 12 and 13 to IS age groups, is printed elsewhere on this page. All that needs to be done, in regard to the entry blank, is to fill 1t out as specified and send it in as soon as possible to the Sandiot Baseball Director, Waterbury Demo- crat, Grand Street, City.
 Meeting Planned
 The particular attention of par- ents of all schoolboys in Waterbury and vicinity such as Naugatuck, Thomaston, Torrington, Prospect, Wolcott and similar areas is direct- ed to the names of the board of di- rectors for the WATERBURY DEMOCRAT BASEBALL, FTDERA. TON, which will meet with the reg istered teams and their parents, if the latter wish to attend as soon as the approximate lineup of teams and leagues is indicated from the number of registered teams; regis tration to begin today through the medium of the printed entry blank on this page.
 Rev. John J. Sullivan, assistant pastor of SS. Peter and Paul church was the first to favorably commend the Democrats plan for two base- ball leagues which will give the younger boys something to do dur ing their summer vacation in the form of league competition once week. A former baseball player himself, Father Sullivan is com- pletely familiar with the advantages of playing baseball to every Amer ican boy; though he feels that the game develops not only healthy be- dies, and alert minds, but character and friendship; particularly testing a boys ability to win modestly and lose gracefully, characteristics which can easily develop from proper coaching and supervision before, during and after actual games are played on the field. As a coach of parochial teams in his east end par- ish, Father Sullivan has almost daily contact with the younger baseball and basketball players; some of whom are too small or too young to play on the school team, but will be welcome on any team in the proposed Waterbury Democrat Sandlot leagues, provided his age is from 10 to IS years, in- elusive.
 Develops Character
 "The idea of sandlot league for the younger boys is an excellent one, and shall be glad to serve as a member of your board of governors, talk to the boys and do anything else that can to help the situation. In these uncertain times, sandlot baseball for boys 10 to IS years of age is invaluable, for 1t will keep the boys out of trouble and give them somethming to do; at least re- lieving their parents of considerable worry during the summer months when the boys are not in school, 'the game of baseball develops ability to lose graciouSly | as well as win without bragging, and that is of utmost importance | 1t this time" Rev. Sullivan said.
 Another well-known clergyman, Rev. Henry Liebeck, assistant pas sor of Second Congregational | who swings a bat once a week or so in a softball game, high- y endorsed the Waterbury Demo- ,rat sandlot league idea. As direc- ;or of the Youth Activities commit tee of his church, Rev. Liebeck is luite familiar with the present day problems of youngsters of various ages and was most willing to be- come a member of the Board of Di- .ectors of the Waterbury Democrat Baseball Federation, when 
 Dr. Janoes M. Lee, known through ,ut the city for his consistent ac- ivities on behalf of the Pearl Street House, and especially interested in sports for both boys md girls, has also agreed to serve IS . director of the federation. Anything that will help the young )eODle to hetter thennsAlvas Slleh os