Young, Bush, Robinson join Bases Loaded display downtown
MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent PA Governor Tom Wolf, middle, and Williamsport mayor Derek Slaughter, right, laugh, after former President George W. Bush's quip about Wolf being late during the unveiling of the last Bases Loaded statues Sunday afternoon.
MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Rachel Robinson, widow of the great MLB Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson is seated in front of the likeness of her late husband and former President George W. Bush after the unveiling of the last Bases Loaded statues Sunday afternoon.
MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Former President George W. Bush stands in front of the statue in his likeness after the unveiling of the last Bases Loaded statues Sunday afternoon.
MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent PA Governor Tom Wolf, middle, and Williamsport mayor Derek Slaughter, right, laugh, after former President George W. Bush's quip about Wolf being late during the unveiling of the last Bases Loaded statues Sunday afternoon.
MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Rachel Robinson, widow of the great MLB Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson is seated in front of the likeness of her late husband and former President George W. Bush after the unveiling of the last Bases Loaded statues Sunday afternoon.
MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Former President George W. Bush stands in front of the statue in his likeness after the unveiling of the last Bases Loaded statues Sunday afternoon.
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The final unveiling of the Bases Loaded storyline of statues playing a game of Little League baseball under the watchful eye of Little League founder Carl E. Stotz was unveiled Sunday on Market Square with three honored guests in attendance.
The donors for this year's set of statues, Cy Young, Jackie Robinson and former President George W. Bush, were Lycoming Engines, Wegmans and Famvest Partners.
As the rain stopped and sunshine peeked out from clouds, the arrival of Rachel Robinson, the widow of Hall of Famer Major Leaguer and African American baseball pioneer Jackie Robinson, caused a roar of approval.
Robinson -- 100 years young -- looked stunning in a blue, white and black dress.
Bush and Rob Manfred, Major League Baseball commissioner, were already there when Robinson joined them.
Bush seemed to become enamored by her presence and warmth. Gov. Tom Wolf arrived a tad late, and became the target of Bush's humor: "Governor, better late than never," Bush said to Wolf, who smiled as the audience enjoyed Bush's wit.
Robinson's appearance, Bush's chat about his time in Midland, Texas in his Little League and his adoration of what Robinson accomplished and the discussion about Cy Young, arguably among the greatest pitchers in Major League history were the highlights of the event.
Manfred's tribute to the legacy Stephen D. Keener, president of Little League, has created each year, a league now for celebrating its diamond jubilee, also drew applause.
It was a momentous and historic occasion for Williamsport, Lycoming County and Little League -- which is celebrating its 75th year. The statues were unveiled with the help of three members of the Williamsport Area Little League.
It was a secure and safe event, as crowds were lined on all three corners of Market Square.
Honored guests were joined by Jason Fink, president and CEO of the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce and Williamsport Mayor Derek Slaughter.
"This entire project has been privately funded through businesses here in our community since 2014," Fink said, expressing his admiration for Utah sculptor Matt Glenn.
Also noted by Fink for assisting in the final Bases Loaded statues was the Lycoming County Visitors Bureau Operating Committee, which provided vision direction and gave the staff the resources to pursue this project.
"The statues have become a great source of pride in displaying our local baseball heritage to share with everyone visiting Williamsport," Fink said.
Behind the scenes efforts helped such as public works and public safety teams at the city, state and federal level providing protection and security for the public event.
Fink also mentioned the team at the chamber for its commitment to take on such community issues.
"We were fortunate in 2014 to connect with the artist (Glenn) who took our vision and encapsulated all we wanted to achieve in depicting the various elements for our statues," Fink said.
Glenn, who was with his family at the ceremony, has done everything asked of him to detail the heritage depicted in these statues, he said.
The final set of statues associated with the Bases Loaded statues public arts piece at Market Square in downtown Williamsport has been a project led by the chamber's tourist promotion arm, the Lycoming County Visitors Bureau.
It was started in 2014 to mark the 75th anniversary of Little League Baseball and is being concluded to commemorate the 75th Little League World Series this year.
Indeed, the last seven decades has been transformational and life-changing for many, Fink said of the Series and expressing his appreciation to the guests and Little League for setting the standard for which "we can aspire to teach and lead our children in the sport of baseball and softball."
Williamsport has welcomed the world each August for the past 75 years in holding the LLWS.
"We get to celebrate annually the love and passion of the youth, coaches, families and fans for baseball in its purest form," Fink said.
While this initiative was led by the Chamber and its Visitors Bureau, the funding for the statues was provided by local community businesses.
Established in 2014, in conjunction of the 75th Anniversary of the first Little League game played on June 6, 1939, the Bases Loaded project is a series of sculptures that commemorates the history of Little League -- the centerpiece of which is 12 individual statues located in Market Square, each depicting different eras in Little League's history and embracing the diversity and timelessness of a sport played around the world. The new statue, featuring the likenesses of Young, Robinson and Bush, are featured behind the backstop as part of the home plate display.