H'port Little League unveils Legion gift
New scoreboard lights up field
By ROB PRICE THE COURIERADVOCATE

PHOTO BY ROB PRICE Hammondsport American Legion members salute the flag as it flutters over the Hammondsport Little League's new scoreboard, paid for by a single contribution from the Legion.

HAMMONDSPORT - Carl Neu hasn't had much opportunity to watch Hammondsport Little League games since he and his wife moved to Bath six years ago.

But he has fond memories of coaching the Merchants Little League Team in the 1950s when he and his wife lived in Hammondsport.

"We went four years and only lost two games," Neu says.

Recently, as a member of the Hammondsport American Legion Rosell- McDaniels Post 407, Neu had an opportunity to continue his engagement with Hammondsport's Little League.

Representatives of the League last month asked Post 407 to consider contributing toward the cost of a new scoreboard for the Little League Park. "We listened," Neu recalls, "then asked them to leave for a second. They stepped out, and we decided to do the whole works."

Neu notes the Legion has supported the Little League in a variety of other ways: it sponsors its own Little League team, buys hot dogs for opening day and posts a sign on the fence surrounding the Little League field.

PHOTO BY ROB PRICE Pictured above, Hammondsport American Legion members pose in front of the Hammondport Little League's new scoreboard, which the Legion donated. From left: Larry Smith, post commander; Jim Stone, incoming commander; Don Smith, second vice commander, and Carl Neu, executive committee president.

The $4,000 scoreboard was unveiled last week during a ceremony attended by Neu, as president of the Legion's executive committee, and three other Hammondsport Legionaires: Larry Smith, post commander; Jim Stone, incoming commander, and Don Smith, second vice commander.

The four men snapped to attention as Little League team members raised the flag to the strains of "The Star Spangled Banner."

Then it was time to play baseball.

"I miss those games," Neu says.