Little League inducts three into Hall of Fame
Fisher, Wingerter, Byer recognized on opening day
BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP
Staff Writer

Millstone-Roosevelt Little League (MRLL) President Joseph Paglia Jr. (l-r) inducts Jim Fisher, Cory Wingerter and Ron Byer into the league's Hall of Fame during a special ceremony on opening day, April 14.

MILLSTONE - Out to the ball game. Out to the crowd. Into the Hall of Fame.

The Millstone-Roosevelt Little League (MRLL) inducted Jim Fisher, Cory Wingerter and past MRLL President Ron Byer into its Hall of Fame during a special ceremony held on opening day, which was April 14.

The league's board of trustees, led by President Joseph Paglia, recently voted in the new Hall of Famers, whose names will be recognized on a permanent plaque located at the league's fieldhouse in the Perrineville section of Millstone.

The MRLL launched its Hall of Fame program in 2006 to recognize the many different ways that generous people give to the organization during the years their children participate and, in many cases, long after their children have graduated from the league. To benefit the town's children, honorees can provide financial support and/or give their time through board membership, field maintenance, coaching, sponsorship and community leadership.

Paglia said that all of this year's inductees met the league's criteria of "putting children first."

Paglia called Fisher a huge supporter of many youth and collegiate athletic causes.

"Jim is a longtime sponsor of multiple MRLL teams and has also managed teams for over 10 years," Paglia said. "He made this year's planned purchase and installation of two new scoreboards happen for MRLL."

Paglia said Fisher impacts the lives of thousands of young athletes in the MRLL and is also an influence as the offensive coordinator for the Allentown High School football team.

"We thank him for his generosity and his fine example for parents and children," Paglia said.

Fisher said he believes sports are great for all boys and girls.

"Whatever the sport they play," he said, "they learn discipline and the value of teamwork, hard work and most importantly, good sportsmanship."

Fisher said he has coached youth soccer, basketball, softball, baseball and football for more than 10 years.

Of his induction into the Hall of Fame, Fisher said, "I'm delighted to be given this great honor, and I'd like to thank all the wonderful people I was lucky to work with over the years ... team moms or fellow coaches [and] not just in baseball, but [in] all the sports my kids were lucky enough to participate in."

He continued, "We've got great facilities in this town, and I'll continue to do whatever I can to help the kids."

Paglia said Wingerter has given both financial and tireless municipal support to the MRLL as a business owner, a former township committeeman and a former mayor.

"No matter the issue, Cory has stood tall and proud in support of the Little League in Millstone Township," Paglia said. "We thank Cory for his generosity and unflappable support."

Wingerter said it is an honor for his family and business to be recognized by the Little League.

"When our family moved into Millstone Township in 1986, the new ball fields were just being completed," he said. "Many of the team parents and local businesses pitched in to make the facility what it is today."

He continued, "We are just one of many dedicated volunteers who offered their time, money and resources to help build the program in Millstone."

His family looks forward to continuing its support of the MRLL.

Wingerter called the Millstone Little League "an excellent program" that helps children establish the values of sportsmanship, teamwork and fair play.

"As a program of service to the youth, MRLL has always had dedicated leadership and strong community participation," he said.

Paglia said that as past president, Byer has navigated the MRLL successfully through some tumultuous battles, lawsuits and a myriad of other stressful events.

"More has been asked of Ron and given by him personally than ever should be of a Little League president," Paglia said.

Paglia said the example Byer has set for the MRLL's children is the finest parents could hope for.

"Both on and off the field Ron has been a professional and committed leader defending and promoting the MRLL with grace and always 'putting children first,' " Paglia said. "We can never thank Ron enough for his hard work and tireless commitment."

Byer said he is deeply honored to be elected into the MRLL Hall of Fame.

"And I'm also humbled by my fellow inductees from last year and this year," Byer said. "The Hennessys, Ryans, Wingerters and Fishers are the pillars on which the MRLL is supported in our town, and I can only hope to someday be considered in the same breath."

Byer thanked Paglia, the MRLL board and the Hall of Fame Committee for the honor.

"I will always be there for the MRLL," he said.

Byer has been an MRLL board member for six years, the past three of which he has served as president.

"I enjoyed the time, but it was a lot of work," he said. "And I feel strongly that it is important for people to give of themselves, particularly for the good of the children, and then step back and let others do the same."

He continued, "I am proud of the improvements we made to the MRLL during my tenure on the board, but am equally proud to see the great job that Joe Paglia and the 2007 MRLL board are doing."

Byer said the role of president is time-consuming, as are all the board positions.

"My older son is now a sophomore in high school, and it would be a shame for me to miss what may be his last two years at home," he said.

Although he is no longer serving as board president of the MRLL, Byer said he is still involved with the league.

"I manage a Major boys' baseball team this year, which is how I became involved with the MRLL in the beginning," Byer said. "I have always loved working with the kids, seeing their energy, their willingness to learn and their pride when the practice pays off."

The 2007-08 season will be the league's third straight season with more than 500 players, according to Paglia.

The league consists of baseball and softball divisions for boys and girls ages 5 to 14.

The league has a total of 44 teams, including a T-ball division for boys and girls ages 5 and 6, a Colonial Coach Pitch softball division for girls ages 6 to 8, a Colonial Coach Pitch baseball division for boys ages 6 to 8, a Minor softball division for girls ages 8 to 10 and a Minor baseball division for boys ages 8 to 11.

The league also offers Major softball for girls ages 10 to 12, Major baseball for boys ages 10 to 12 and Senior softball for girls ages 13 to 14.

"This is the first time in many years we were able to field a girls junior team," Paglia said.

There are currently 14 members on the league's board of directors and approximately 150 volunteers consisting of managers, coaches and team parent positions.

Besides the new season of games, the league has other upcoming events, such as Comedy Night on April 27, an annual golf outing May 4 at the Gambler Ridge Golf Club in the Cream Ridge section of Upper Freehold, a Trenton Thunder game on June 1 and a Texas Hold'em tournament on June 9.

"We're trying to make our 2007 fundraising efforts our most successful year ever," Paglia said of the upcoming events. "We have big plans for our funds, which include outdoor batting cages, T-ball field improvements, press boxes and updating our clubhouse facilities."

Paglia said that as always, the league's main goal this year is to make this season a fun and enjoyable experience for everyone involved - the kids, the parents and the coaches.