Penn College, Little League Celebrate Anniversaries in 'Grand Slam' Fashion
Thursday, August 14, 2014
Soggy turned to sunny just in time Wednesday for Pennsylvania College of Technology to once again welcome visitors to Williamsport for the Little League Baseball World Series. On the evening before play begins in South Williamsport, the college hosted its traditional cookout for the Series teams on the lawn outside the Bush Campus Center. Little League players, coaches, team "uncles," umpires and baseball legend Dave Winfield enjoyed picnic fare and the company of one another before they (and their college hosts) participated in the Grand Slam Parade down West Fourth Street. Accompanied by the college's ever-popular Wildcat mascot, Penn College volunteers handed out giveaways – including balsa airplanes and commemorative pins – on their well-received journey downtown. Rounding out the teams' campus visit was a brief stop in The Gallery at Penn College for a Little League-related art exhibit. The college was featured in at least two live newscasts from campus: on WPVI in Philadelphia and on CBS Chicago. And Patriot News coverage, which was also picked up in Alabama, included a roundup of photos at the PennLive website.
– Photos by Jennifer A. Cline, writer/editor-One College Avenue; Tom Wilson, writer/editor-PCToday;
Dalaney T. Vartenisian, student photographer; and Fred Gilmour, alumnus/retired faculty member
Cookout/parade volunteers are briefed by co-workers who helped make the evening run smoothly: from left, Jennifer A. Cline, writer/editor-One College Avenue; writer/video editor Tom Speicher; Tina M. Miller, director of marketing communications; and Shelley Bamonte, secretary, public relations and marketing.
A player's smile says it all: his Europe & Africa team is playing in the Little League Baseball World Series!
Barely off the bus, a member of the West team's entourage trades pins with graphic design student Morgan N. Keyser, of Cogan Station.
The Great Lakes entry moves through an enthusiastic receiving line that included graphic designer Sarah K. Patterson (left),
Great Lakes team "uncle" Ed Weinhoffer pauses for a photo outside Madigan Library with volunteer Michael J. Hersh, digital media production assistant for instruction.
Midwest players make their way to The Gallery at Penn College, collecting a campusload of good wishes to carry them into competition.
Outstretched arms greet the Caribbean champions as they arrive at Penn College.
Admissions representative Sarah R. Shott snaps a selfie with a home-state favorite, the Mid-Atlantic team from Philadelphia.
A powerhouse lineup outside the Campus Center: from left, college President Davie Jane Gilmour (who also chairs the Little League International Board of Directors); Hall of Famer Dave Winfield; Stephen D. Keener, president and chief executive officer of Little League International; and Penn College Wildcat baseball coach Christopher H. Howard.
What language barrier? Dental hygiene: health policy and administration concentration major Sarah Boyer, of Great Mills, Md., lets her smile do the talking with the Japan team.
Members of President's Council make campus guests feel at home, including the New England team as it processes toward the picnic area.
Students from the School of Business & Hospitality serve up a variety of cookout fare that proved popular with all teams, no matter their home cuisine.
A popular ambassador was the Penn College Wildcat, accommodating anyone who wanted some furry face time.
Umpires need love, too ... and cupcakes say a mouthful.
Northwest players sign the shirt of volunteer Whitnie-Rae Mays, an alumna and applied technology studies major.
WNEP sports anchor/reporter Sharla McBride shoots video outside the picnic tent.
Rob Cooley, an assistant professor of anthropology and environmental science – who, as a fourth-grader won a contest to see Dave Winfield play at Yankee Stadium – enjoys a campus reunion.
Winfield, who would later serve as the parade's Grand Marshal, shakes hands with the college president after her lead-in to his remarks.
Little Leaguers hear inspiring words from Dave Winfield, the only athlete to have been drafted by Major League Baseball, the National and American basketball associations, and the National Football League.
Winfield makes time for fans of all ages.
Derek Jeter's favorite player asks Little Leaguers about their sports idols.
A chorus line of Latin Americans and Australians entertains the cookout crowd with a performance of "The Macarena."
Canada pitcher Emma March, one of two girls in this year's Series, buddies up with Mexico's Rolando Reyna.
A patch on players' uniforms denotes the 75th anniversary of Little League Baseball.
One-of-a-kind keepsakes – T-shirts autographed by the respective Europe & Africa and Caribbean teams they escorted – are proudly worn by April M. Tucker (left), an applied human services major from Muncy, and Dana R. Suter, coordinator of part-time student employment and career programs.
Great Lakes coach Darold Butler, representing another team from a major-media market, is interviewed by Marshall Harris from Philadelphia's Comcast SportsNet.
Mo'ne Davis,who pitched Philadelphia's Taney Dragons into the Little League Baseball World Series, fortifies her throwing arm with another helping of homemade macaroni and cheese.
The Great Lakes and Southwest entries assess their common ground as two of only 16 teams to make it into the 2014 Series.
Perhaps practicing his signature for the autograph requests in the days ahead, a Caribbean player makes every letter count.
Literally leaving their mark on the campus that hosted their visit, Mexico players sign "The Rock."
The Europe & Africa team stays hydrated in the late-summer sun.
Players huddle around a TV playing highlights of the 2013 Series.
With the welcome passage of persistent rain showers, a Southwest slugger catches some rays ... and maybe some Zzzzzzs.
World Series time: Just as exciting for grown-ups as it is for the 11- to 13-year-olds who play the games.
Among the benefits of hosting a 16-team cookout? Watching the youngsters go beyond competition to camaraderie, of course.
Joking about the disparity between their sizes, Japan players ask that their photo be taken with the West team's 6-foot-2-inch Brennan Holligan.
The Mid-Atlantic and Japan teams get acquainted on the eve of Series play.
Reporter Jan Carabeo from Philadelphia's CBS3, among the media covering the Pennsylvania fan favorites, coolly does her stand-up amid the excitement all around.
Volunteer Blair E. Smith, support services assistant at Madigan Library, poses with some members of her assigned Australian squad.
New Englanders race along the campus mall, burning off steam accumulated during the pre-parade hours.
With confidence to spare, the Latin American team crosses campus en route to its parade float.
A banner by the food tent welcomes World Series teams (and marks the year's special anniversaries for Little League and Penn College).
Devin Maciejewski, son of alumni Kathleen and Dave, asks the World Series umpires to sign his shirt.
Gale A. Ritchey (left), records retrieval and scanning assistant in the Registrar's Office, nabs a photo with the Wildcat before joining the parade with the “Swingin’, Saggin’ Seniors.”
The Penn College float begins its journey down the parade route with (from left), alumnus Nicholas D. Biddle, ’07; web and interactive media student Trevor I. Brandt; President Davie Jane Gilmour, and physician assistant major Cavan R. Irvine on board.
The college’s Society of Manufacturing Engineers student chapter − represented by manufacturing engineering technology major Benjamin D. Lopatofsky, of Williamsport − adds to the parade lineup its vehicle, which placed third from among more than 100 college teams from across the U.S. and internationally this spring in a Baja SAE endurance race.
The Wildcat addresses its fans.
Student Activities Assistant Julie H. Carr smiles offers a smile to parade-goers between helping to distribute handouts to the college’s parade walkers.
Phillip C. Warner, web designer and a 2006 alumnus, Nicole S. Staron, library operations public services coordinator, gather with their family to view the parade.
In addition to hugs and high-fives, the Wildcat granted a request to touch its nose.
Representing the institution’s three major eras are student Cavan R. Irvine (sporting a shirt to commemorate Williamsport Technical Institute graduates), Penn College alumna Kathleen Maciejewski, ’07 and ’94, and Williamsport Area Community College alumnus Dave Maciejewski, ’82.
Making its first appearance in the parade is College Health Services’ new UTV, driven by James W. Gilbert, health assistant/EMT.
Alumni Raymond J. Fischer Jr., ’76 (left), and Nicholas D. Biddle, ’07 (foreground), wave to the crowds.
Student Jordan D. Suter and head baseball coach Christopher H. Howard give handouts to an eager crowd.
The Wildcat gets some skin.
Southwest fans get a close-up with the Wildcat.
A sign supports the home-state team – and is at the ready for candy-throwers.
Canada fans pull out their cameras as their favorite team nears …
… and the Puerto Rico faithful wave their colors.
The Wildcat makes a grand entry into the downtown.
Students Todd D. Robatin and April M. Tucker hand out balsa-wood model airplanes.
The Wildcat soaks up the attention of WNEP2 cameras.
A personal touch in the crowded downtown
A group takes an opportunity for a selfie with the Wildcat.
With a mix of color that matches the eye-popping artwork in display, players and coaches interact in the gallery.
A Northwest athlete snaps a photo of a decidedly nonregulation baseball.
The three-dimensional work of area elementary students is appreciated by campus visitors.
Players from Europe & Africa, breezing through the "Collective Pop" exhibit by artist Charles Fazzino, pause to point out one of the vibrant pieces in The Gallery at Penn College.
Asia-Pacific teammates preserve a memory in The Gallery at Penn College.
Noting that the 16 Series teams outlasted counterparts in a total of 16,000 games worldwide, the president said, "No matter the results, you are all champions."
Winfield tells young players that the growth of Little League and their own ascendancy to the World Series, proves that success can grow from far-flung seeds.
An empowering portrait of successful women: from left, Tracy L. Brundage, vice president for workforce development; Canada's Emma March; the Penn College president; Mid-Atlantic's Mo'ne Davis; and Carolyn R. Strickland, vice president for enrollment management/associate provost.
The Mid-Atlantic team finds smiling satisfaction in the "cred" that comes with Series credentials.
Canada outfielder/pitcher Vicarte Domingo busts a move as Mexico and Canada players form a circle to showcase their dance skills.
Little League International’s President and CEO Stephen D. Keener (center), obliges a photo request from the Asia-Pacific team from Seoul, South Korea, then requests one of his own to send to a good friend in Korea.
The Wildcat makes fast friends during the cross-campus trek to the parade route.