Newtown Edgmont Little League Kicks Off NELL Day

NEWTOWN SQUARE–It was a living slice of Americana: burgers cooking on a grill on a sun-splashed Saturday, excited kids running around everywhere in baseball uniforms while parents chased them with beaming smiles on their faces. It could not have been a more picturesque view of that for (NELL) Day on Saturday, set to raise funds in support of the Flaingan Center, NELL’s all-year-round indoor facility.

The event began at 9:30 in the morning and lasted until about 7 p.m. Over 30 teams participated, involving between 400-500 players, ranging from the ages of 5 to 12.

NELL calls it the “longest game ever played.” They could add something else to it, as the “most fun day ever had” by not only the children playing, but the parents and coached that participated in the all-volunteer community event.

“It’s about kids feeling special for a day,” said Jim Lanzalotto, the NELL Day Director. “This is really a field of dreams for these kids. It is very community oriented, and it’s filled with people who want to create a great experience for the kids. This is important to keep the Flanigan Center running, which is open all year long. This gives everyone a chance to immerse themselves in baseball.”

There are eight divisions total and the various leagues involve boys and girls, and it includes a challenger division for special-needs children.

Steve Wray has been involved with NELL for 12 years as a coach. His 11-year-old son Matt plays and his 19-year-old son Mike is his assistant coach.

“It’s a great experience when a kid you coached seven, eight years ago comes up to you and remembers you,” Wray said. “We’re part of the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA), which is indicative of the league and community. A day like this is an opportunity for us to remember we’re a community. It’s completely a volunteer league. It’s community based and it’s understood there is a positive quality, which adds to the quality of our coaching. The games are really, really competitive, one- and two-run games. The beauty of it is after the games are done, you’ll see eight-different colored uniforms out there talking with each other.”

NELL has had Comcast SportsNet host , former Phillies’ reliever Ricky Bottalico and current Phillies’ reliever Ryan Madson out at NELL events. To maintain the gorgeous NELL fields, a rotating group of 40 to 50 parents show up each Sunday morning to maintain the facilities.

“NELL is its own special entity, and I think it’s special because it’s community owned,” said Jack Lynch, whose 11-year-old son, Timmy, plays in the league. “Look around and every field is in great shape, and that came after a week of rain. Every parent has an investment in the facility, and I think that’s the reason why it works. We maintain a code of conduct for adults, and adults in NELL act like adults.”

Editor's note: Have your own photos from NELL Day? Feel free to add them to our gallery.