Overview:
The Athol-Orange Chuck Stone Little League is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year with a parade, banquet, and dance fundraiser. The league was founded in 1951 by Chuck Stone and has a long history of baseball in the area. Despite competition from other sports, the league will field 10 teams this year with around 90 kids signed up to participate. The YMCA became involved with the league in 2020 to help rebuild it. The first game of the season will be on May 2, and will be preceded by the annual parade of players and coaches.
ATHOL – This year’s Chuck Stone Little League Parade will do more than celebrate the start of the season—it will also commemorate the league’s 75th year.
In the spring of 1951, Chuck Stone founded the Athol Little League. The organization would eventually merge with the Little League from Orange and go on to bear his name.
“I think we’re only the third organization to be incorporated with Little League for 75 years,” said league President Rob Woodard. “So it’s a pretty amazing feat. Orange, they started in ’57, so they’re 67 years old. Between the two towns, we have a long history of baseball around here. But Athol was definitely the founder in our two towns.”
Locally and nationally, the organization has had its ups and downs.
“Nationwide, worldwide, Little League participation is down – kids are finding other sports to play,” he said.
Despite the competition, Woodard said the league will be fielding 10 teams, “not including tee ball.”
Emily White, league secretary and senior program director at the Athol Area YMCA, said there are about 90 kids signed up to participate in the baseball program.
“Registrations for minor and major (divisions) in softball will be closing soon, and we have local Coach Pitch,” she said. “We accept applications through April 4, so those numbers might grow a little.”
Registration for Coach Pitch ends April 12. The program was created to help managers and coaches in the Little League Minor Baseball Division organize practices, according to the Little League website.
The YMCA became involved with the Chuck Stone Little League in 2020, according to White.
“The numbers in the league were kind of dissolving,” she said, “so they spoke to the Y.”
The YMCA’s executive director at the time “offered to take on the league to help build it back up,” added White.
For the first game, Woodward said that Rocky Stone, son of Chuck Stone, will throw the first pitch. That game will also feature several guest speakers.
Opening day is May 2 and, as is tradition, the first game will be preceded by the annual parade of players and coaches. The parade steps off at 9 a.m. from the YMCA and will proceed down Main Street, over the Exchange Street Bridge, and conclude at Chuck Stone Field at 325 Pequoig Ave., behind the American Legion.
To celebrate the league’s 75th anniversary, a banquet and dance fundraiser will be held Saturday, May 2, at Ellinwood Country Club. Tickets are $50 per person or $375 for a table of eight. There will be a social hour from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., with dinner at 6. The event features guest speakers, dancing, raffles, and is open to anyone 18 and older. Tickets can be purchased at the Athol Area YMCA.
Speakers will include Athol native Matt Fisher, who played in the Chuck Stone League, went on to play college ball at Franklin Pierce College, and was picked up by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2005 draft. Also on hand will be Anthony DeLeo, who played his college ball at Bridgewater State University and is now working with the Washington Nationals’ minor league system.
The Athol-Orange Chuck Stone Little League will also hold a spaghetti supper fundraiser on Friday, April 10, the night before the annual River Rat Race. The cost is $10 for adults, $5 for kids ages 3-12. Kids under 3 eat for free, and there is a dine in or takeout option. The event is being held at the Athol American Legion, 325 Pequoig Ave. Meat and meatless options are available, and there will be a cash bar. The event runs from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.