This is an outline story about men and women with vision who worked to make the place where they lived a very family-oriented community centered on children. Now we all enjoy the fruits of their labor and below is the story of how it all began, how it grew, where it is now and where it is going in the future.
In 1990
- LYA and GEYA announced that Upper Uwchlan, Wallace and East Brandywine will spin off from LYA in baseball to form a league of their own – Glenmore Eagle Little League.
- Jim Harkins was elected President -served from 1990-99.
- Kevin Ryan introduced LYA to its 8th sport – GIRLS AND BOYS LACROSSE
- Little League/Babe Ruth introduced LYA to its 9th sport – FALL BASEBALL.
- Harkins/Nagle U14-Travel soccer team “Blast” won 2nd PA State Title – won Regionals in Niagara Falls.
- LYA began 6- year-old soccer program.
- Lionville Little League International All-star steam won the District 23 Division C title. Coaches: Dick Patterson, John O’Brien & John Trevisan.
- Uwchlan Township opened Shamona Main for soccer.
In 1991
- 14 and Under LYA girls Travel Softball won Central Atlantic Championship and earned a trip to the Grand Nationals in Sacramento CA. Coach: Scott Yard
- LYA established an INFORMATION HOTLINE. Lionville was reassigned to District 28.
- Lionville Park received a $15,000 grant from Chester County Commissioner Joe Kenna for a new pavilion
- The Milwaukee Brewers drafted LYA alum David Preikszas, a senior at Miami U of Ohio. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound right fielder is the son of Otto and Mary. It was a big week for the Preikszas Family! Otto got the news when he and his older son John, Captain of the guided missile cruiser Valley Forge, arrived in San Diego. Otto, a long time Treasurer and coach in LYA, was a special guest on a voyage from Hawaii to accompany the fleet home from the Middle East in Operation Desert Storm.
- Lionville Babe Ruth 14-15 All-stars take 2nd place in PA State Tournament. Coaches: Jack and Steve McSherry, and Doug Steimel
- Uwchlan Township acquired Hoffecker homestead property for new soccer field in Lionville Park.
- LYA built a second softball field at Lionville Elementary.
- LYA paid to have fence installed at Shamona Creek Elementary.
- LYA added side fencing to two fields at Uwchlan Hills School
- Uwchlan Township opened Shamona Peck for rookie baseball and Spring Run for soccer.
In 1992
- LYA Softball hosted an ASA Regional Qualifier Tournament in July.
- LYA softball traveled to Midland, Texas for National Tournament.
- Uwchlan Township opened Martins Farm for Travel Soccer.
- Eagle Scout Jonathon Carter – Troop 79 built a garden and erosion control basin along parking lot near the new pavilion
- Dorothy Foster was awarded the Little League Volunteer of the Year for the State of Pennsylvania.
- LYA fielded 85 baseball/softball teams, 14 Lacrosse teams, 82 Intramural soccer teams, 9 travel soccer teams, 12 field hockey teams, 60 basketball teams and 110 wrestlers.
In 1993
- GEYA and LYA announced they will spin off a new soccer program in 1995 in Upper Uwchlan -LYA baseball and soccer primary territory was limited to – Uwchlan – West Pikeland and North East Caln.
- LYA allocated $6200 to replace all stone baseball dugout floors with cement pads.
- A new backstop, protective fencing and benches were added to the Acker Park ball field.
- LYA fielded – 103 baseball/softball teams, 14 lax teams, 97 intramural soccer teams, 9 travel teams, 12 field hockey teams, 70 basketball teams and 110 wrestlers.
- LYA formed long range committee to study additional field expansion.
In 1994
- Lionville Little League celebrated its 25th Anniversary. Invited all past Board Members to celebration.
- LYA presented a need for fields to West Pikeland to support the continued participation of West Pikeland children in LYA programs.
- West Pikeland agreed to pay LYA $10,000 per year for rental of two fields at Montgomery School plus $1,000 for setup equipment until fields can be built in West Pikeland. LYA scheduled baseball, soccer and lacrosse fields at Montgomery School in West Pikeland, but abandoned the site after one year because of safety and maintenance issues.
- West Pikeland applied to the county for a grant to build soccer fields in Pine Creek Park in their newly purchased Palmer Property citing LYA’s urgent needs for fields.
- Hoffecker Soccer/Lax Field and new lower parking lot in Lionville Park were dedicated in large ceremony. Commissioners Kenna, Martynick and Dinniman attended. Sen. Jim Gerlach presented LYA with the PA state flag.
- Field B was skinned and got a new scoreboard.
- Lionville International LL team won the District Championship. Coach: John O’Brien
- Eagle Project #10 – Matt Lynch of Troop 220 built dugout covers at Foster Field.
In 1995
- LYA voted to reinstate all West Pikeland residents in all seven LYA sports in a letter to Chairman Alfred Brady because of field commitment.
- West Pikeland agreed to continue to pay LYA $10,000 per year until fields are available. LYA offered to return $2000 per year for a planning development fund and suggested West Pikeland establish a Park and Recreation Department.
- West Pikeland acquired 72 acres for a future park and soccer fields and asked LYA to help in the design. Dorothy Foster and Mark Force worked with engineers on the layout.
- Rich Evangelista died suddenly in March. EIT presented LYA a check for $5,000 in memory of its President. LYA received an additional $2,000 in memorial contributions.
- LYA introduced its 10th program offering – an 8-week Summer Camp program in Lionville Park for baseball, softball, soccer, field hockey, lacrosse and later added basketball and wrestling.
- Enrollment zooms – 120 baseball/softball teams, 111 Intramural soccer teams, and 85 basketball teams.
In 1996
- On January 1st- LYA, Uwchlan Township and the DASD signed a Shared Facilities Agreement for joint use of Lionville Park in order to build a new Middle School on an adjoining property and to turn Lionville Jr. High into a new high school for the district. Uwchlan Township retained ownership of the land. LYA retained first usage rights after school programs.
- LYA established a field surcharge for all non-Uwchlan residents – except West Pikeland.
- West Pikeland sent an $8,000 check to LYA for field rental for resident participation
- 13-Year Old Babe Ruth Team won District 2 Championship
- United Way funds contributed $11,000.
- LYA bought a 2nd golf cart.
In 1997
- LYA signed a 25-year lease with the DASD for the old “Dewees” house on the Fasel property for use as a meeting and equipment storage facility. LYA spent three years and $20,000 renovating the house. Uwchlan Township made the house handicap accessible and donated timer heating and a fire alarm system.
- LYA Softball sponsored ASA of PA State Coaches Clinic.
- Uwchlan Township built a new tot lot in Lionville Park.
- LYA amended policy manual to include no smoking/drinking around the ball fields.
- LYA initiated Kids Helping Kids food collection project.
- West Pikeland sent an $8,000 check to LYA for field rental for resident participation
In 1998
- The LYA Newsletter celebrated its 20th Anniversary and Dorothy Foster as editor.
- Lionville Babe Ruth hosted its 4th Annual Memorial Day Tournament.
- Eagle Project #11- Bryan Parno of Troop 216 built dugout covers for Field C.
- Lionville International LL team won District 28 Championship- Coached by Jim Harkins and Scott Tucker
- Foster Field and Field C got new 20 foot high backstops.
- Mark Force developed the LYA Website.
- LYA wrestling purchased a new $8,000 wrestling mat to share with DASD.
In 1999
- Kevin Ryan was elected President.
- The LYA enrollment was 1800 players in (9) sports and the operating budget was $150,000.
- Pine Creek Park opened in West Pikeland with two soccer fields. LYA bought two sets of soccer goals and a storage box for fields. West Pikeland granted LYA only a limited schedule on the fields…four of the 7-member Park Board are neighbors.
- LYA named new LL field in Lionville Park – Evangelista Field – after Rich Evangelista.
- Rep. Curt Schroder awarded LYA a $10,000 Community Grant for new field.
- LYA eliminated field surcharge.
- DASD built a new regulation baseball field in Lionville Park – LMS field.
- LYA soccer celebrated its 25th Anniversary.
- Lionville Lightning 12U captured 2nd place in State Championship – coached by Jim Osborn, Steve Klapp and Michele Dawson.
- LYA International LL won District 28 Championship and 4 games in sectionals. Coached by Mike Ryan, Steve Mariani and Dennis LeVasseur.
- Field J was skinned and new 20 foot backstop fencing installed.
- LYA added 5-year-old co-ed soccer.
On To The 2000’s