The Most Important Thing In Playing Baseball Is To Have Fun, Otherwise the Word PLAY Should Be Omitted - Steve Fellin  

The following is an overview of the book MLL History by Steve Fellin, 1979  

Robert Vosbrink, Middlesex Recreation Director thought it would be a good idea to have a Little League Program in 1952 that would be independent of the Recreation Farm League.  The first field was located at Thomas Young Orchids on Harris Avenue.  The wood used to  construct the fence and backstop were donated by Mr. Giles from Giles Trucking.  The field was 180’ down the lines and 189’ to centerfield.   Carl Rapke was the founding President and the Treasurer was Von E. Mauger.  The original four teams were the Phillies, Dodgers, Giants and Braves.  Two years later, the Pirates and Cubs were added and the league was now announcing All-Star teams and playing in Tournaments.  The original refreshment stand was run by Lillian Barile and she ran it out of the trunk of her car.  

This early success led to talk of improving the field and plans were proposed to install storage sheds and a refreshment stand.  However, Thomas Young Orchids sold their land and the new owner would only the league to finish out the 1957 season.  Needing a new location, a committee was formed and they came to the decision to choose a tract of land near Wellington/Pierpont that was owned by the town.  The proposal was brought to the Boro Council for vote approval on December 17th, 1958 and the league and town agreed to a 15 year lease with the stipulation that it would be extended 15 additional years after the end of the initial term.  The rent was set at $1 a year.  

Given the massive project of clearing land and building a field, the owner of Thomas Young Orchids, Mr. Goldstein, allowed the league to play another season at Thomas Young Orchids while the new field was being constructed.  In Spring, 1959 the field was made and Mr. Goldstein threw out the first pitch.  They also established the footing for the refreshment stand.  After the 1959 season, the Committee worked on backstop, dugouts and fencing around the field.  

In the 1960s, the league sought to improve the field.  They moved in bleachers and build a refreshment stand.  They made plans to install lights and an outfield fence and scoreboard.  Members of the community donated money, supplies and time to make this a reality and the town worked with the league to help improve the field.  The snack shack was unveiled and the league expanded again to eight teams, bringing in the Cardinals and Reds.  The league was successful in District Tournaments, winning three times and teams were chosen by manager votes, the first eight players had to be unanimous and the remaining four members had to get a majority of the votes.  The ‘two inning rule’ was instituted to ensure that all boys played.  The Ladies Auxiliary was created and Jesse Hydo was its 1st President.  The second floor of the Snack Shack was completed and an equipment shed was added.  

In the 1970s, the league continued to expand.  Restrooms were moved inside and storage closets were added.  The snack shack was remodeled and kitchen cabinets and countertops were installed.  Yearly banquets were held and the ‘two inning rule’ was modified to include six consecutive outs and the league had their first girl player.  The dugouts were enclosed and painted and the league had their first ‘Divisional All-Star Game’.  

For the future, Mr. Fellin stressed the strong foundation of the league and the Ladies Auxiliary.  He noted how the league was preparing for lights and night baseball.  He summed up his book by saying what Little League Baseball is supposed to be all about

Fair play and good sportsmanship, and if you love, it isn’t the end of the world, but just a game in which you and your team tried its best and remember, there will be other games.