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Renfrew Field Dedicated to Longtime League PresidentBy Tammy Daniels - May 05, 2008
iBerkshires Staff
ADAMS — The $1.5 million refurbishment of Renfrew Field culminated in the dedication of the ball field on Sunday to longtime youth sports leader Ugo C. Balardini.
Balardini's widow, Margaret, tossed out the first pitch, opening the field for Babe Ruth League play in front of dozens of family, friends, town officials and players.
Balardini was president of the Adams Babe Ruth League for 31 years.
"He really deserves it. He did a lot for the community," Lisa Albareda of Adams, Balardini's granddaughter, said on Monday.
Albareda said the event started out under cloudy skies but "all of a sudden the sun came out as though it was meant to. It was just beautiful. Everything just went perfect."
Balardini died Jan. 9, 2000, at the age of 84. He served on the Parks Commission for eight years and was a town meeting member. Along with his work in youth sports, he was the announcer for the Hoosac Valley Hurricanes' home games for more than 30 years.
Selectman Joseph Dean Jr., left, Margaret Balardini, Peg Gelheiser and Lisa Albareda. |
A ceremony was held at the ball field honoring the World War II veteran back in 1993. But after nearly six years working on the field, it was decided to officially dedicate the field to the longtime league president.
"We did a multiyear, multiphase project of renovations," said Community Development Director Donna Cesan, who had been instrumental in the project's success, on Monday. "The rededication was a celebration of the completion of Renfrew."
The field reopened last spring after a new announcer's booth, concession stand and dugouts were constructed and the fields reconfigured and re-sodded. The dedication was supposed to occur last year but a delay in getting a new scoreboard postponed the ceremony until this spring.
Many of those attending Sunday's event had looked to Balardini as coach and mentor. "Some of our futures were molded on this diamond because Ugo was a pioneer at Adams Babe Ruth. It is because of him that after all these years, kids still have a place to play and be proud of on this new diamond and field," said a dedication speech provided to iBerkshires.
Among those speaking, said Albareda, were Keith Hayden, a Babe Ruth graduate whose father, owner of Hoosac Valley Coal and Grain, had been among the first to sponsor a team; Charles Pansecchi, a longtime coach and friend, and Mike Koperniak, who had also grown up in the league and become a good friend of Balardini's. Also speaking was Balardini's grandson, John Gelheiser of Lake George, N.Y.
Ugo Balardini holds a plaque placed at the field in 1993. |
"My brother made the most beautiful speech," she said, adding it had been quite emotional. Other family in attendance included Balardini's daughter, Margaret "Peg" Gelheiser, and his three grandchildren Steve and Zach Albareda and Charles Gelheiser and several other relatives.
A plaque with Balardini's face will be placed on a prominent rock in the park; the plaque hadn't been ready for Sunday's event. A photo of Balardini at the ceremony shows him holding a brass plaque, the one that had been made back in 1993.
What it's all about. |
That dedication 15 years ago hadn't been quite official, said Albareda, but the plaque was placed in the old concession stand at the far end of the field. Unfortunately, when the stand was taken down, the plaque was forgotten - and hauled away with the debris.
"That really broke our hearts," said Albareda. But the family is looking forward to seeing the new plaque installed in their grandfather's honor.
It probably won't be placed soon enough for Albareda's son Steve, who'll play one of his last games as a Hurricane senior on Thursday at the field named for his great-grandfather. |
| In 1990, I had the pleasure of meeting Ugo Balardini and his wife, Margaret, at a Hoosac varsity baseball game. My older son, Michael, was a junior. I had with me, my youngest son, Drew, who was about 3 weeks old at the time. The Balardini's were running the concession as they always did and they told me about their exciting news. Their granddaughter, Lisa, had just given birth to a baby boy, Steve. They were very happy and excited to be great-grandparents. As fate had planned, the two boys met at preschool, became best friends and our families became and have stayed very close. Ugo was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was a special man who cared about our youth, our community and worked hard to give the kids a league they would be proud of. This field is a wonderful tribute to him and will keep his memory immortal for years to come. The sun came out right before the dedication ceremony and I know it was his way of smiling and shinning down on everyone to show how pleased he is with his field. | | from: Mary Rinaldi | on: 05-08-2008 |
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| What a wonderful experience it will be for a great grandson to take a field dedicated to his great grandfather. How often does that opportunity come along in life. He should get a standing ovation when he takes to the field on thursday. | | from: Red | on: 05-06-2008 |
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| Thank you all for those who took part in the dedication to my grandfather,UGO C. BALARDINI.My grandfather was so proud to have been president of the Babe Ruth program for over 30 years.His goal was to make sure everyone played ball,but to have fun doing it. Under his rein he won 8 district championships,and recieved an award for having one of the best leagues in the state of MASS. So to all of you past players,coaches,officials,family,and friends,please stop by the new Renfrew Park and say hello to a wonderful man who DEDICATED 36 years of his life to the youth of Adams and beyond.And when you step on that field take a glance to the heavens above,as im sure my grandfather is smiling down upon you saying,WELCOME MY FRIEND TO THE UGO C. BALARDINI BASEBALL FIELD. THANK YOU! | | from: JOHN GELHEISER | on: 05-05-2008 |
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| Ugo was a great man,WELL DESERVED HONOR. | | from: TOM G. | on: 05-05-2008 |
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