Page 14 - North Haven Magazine Issue 39 Summer 2025

Max Sinoway

Littl e League

A North Haven Institution and Bedrock of
by Mike Proto the Community for the Past 74 Years

In 1939, a man by the name of Carl Stotz, financial assistance of countless peo- the league was renamed in his honor.
with the help of his wife, Grayce, estab- ple, and after receiving permission from The local newspaper reported on the
lished an organized baseball league in town officials, a little league field was games, and a box score was always in-
their hometown of Williamsport, Penn- constructed in the center of town on cluded in the article.
sylvania. Ironically, they had no children land that was donated by the Heaton
of their own. However, Carl would often family to the town of North Haven for The youngsters who played in the Little
play with his young nephews, Jimmy the purpose of building a library. Ap- League during the 1950s and 1960s are
and Major Gehron, and he wanted to propriately, the baseball diamond was now in their 70s and 80s. In my many
provide them with a wholesome, orga- named Heaton Field. conversations with them, it is abundant-
nized program that would teach them ly clear that they experienced some-
the ideals of sportsmanship, fair play, From the outset, the little league was thing very special during those years so
and teamwork. After talking with some embraced by the entire community. long ago. It is not unusual for them to be
of his friends in the community, he came Numerous men and women donated brought to tears as they reminisce about
up with a name for his organized league. their time, talent, and treasure to pro- their experiences playing little league
It would be called Little League. From vide the young aspiring athletes with baseball at Heaton Field. One such con-
these humble beginnings, Little League an unforgettable, one-of-a-kind, and, versation that I had with Mr. Fred Kos-
International has become the world’s in some cases, life-altering experience. sack, who is now in his mid-80s and
largest organized youth sports program. At this time, baseball was quite literally played at Heaton Field in 1954, sums up
the only game in town, and the number the sentiments of so many of the men
of youths involved in the program grew perfectly. On the day we spoke, I had
Twelve years later, in 1951, a group of exponentially as the population began taken my grandson, Paul, to the Trolley
men in North Haven, perhaps inspired rising. With its covered grandstand, Museum in East Haven. Mr. Kossack was
by the success of the little league pro- press box, and concession stand, Hea- the conductor on the trolley we rode
gram established by Mr. Stotz, decided ton Field became North Haven’s own that day. When I found out that he lived
to begin their own little league for the Field of Dreams. Whenever a game was in North Haven, I asked him if he remem-
town’s youth. North Haven was a small played, the stands would be filled with bered Heaton Field. In response to my
farming community of about 9,000 peo- spectators, cars would be lined up along question, his eyes lit up, and he said in
ple at this time, and the men asked for Elm Street, and additional fans would an excited voice, “Remember it! I played
and received the support of the entire be standing along the left field and right on it!” After conversing for a short while
community. There were scrap metal field lines. Players names would be an- more, I said, “It was quite a field.” Imag-
drives, and letters were even sent to the nounced from the press box. It was not ine my surprise when he shook his head
homes of people in the community re- long before Max Sinoway, a well-known no and exclaimed, “It was perfect!”
questing donations to build a field and and highly respected local resident, be-
finance the proposed league. came the voice of the North Haven Little While Heaton Field itself had a special
League, just as Mel Allen was the voice mystique, it was not the field alone
As a result of the combined efforts and for the New York Yankees. Eventually, that created such vivid memories. Rath-

14 North Haven Magazine - Summer 2025