Lombardo presents legislative grants to recreation department, little league

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There were several unique openings Saturday morning at sun-splashed but cold Kennedy Field inside Johnston War Memorial Park.

First and foremost, the Johnston Little League opened its 53rd season – the 11th under the leadership of president Ed Bedrosian.

The other opening was two-fold, as state Sen. Frank Lombardo presented two Rhode Island Legislative Grants totaling $5,000.

“We in the legislature feel these grants are important and sometimes vital,” Lombardo said. “They’re used for a number of things, from transportation for senior citizens to much-needed property improvements for non-profit organizations.”

Lombardo explained that such non-profits make requests and file an application on behalf of a youth sports league or even a senior center.

“In some cases the state legislative grants are the difference in a senior facility being able to offer certain needed programs,” the senator said. “And in one instance, it was put to good and enabled a youth group to extend its membership for children from needy families.”

Lombardo presented a check for $4,000 to the Johnston Parks and Recreation Department, funding Director Dan Mazzulla said would be put to great use at famed Engineers Field, which is consistently used by Johnston High School, Nicholas A. Ferri Middle School and the town’s Senior Little League.

The field is officially named Engineers Field because many members of the Local 57 union helped build it. Local 57 also had its own Engineers Field on Gano Street in Providence, where the once world famous and championship fast-pitch softball Local 57 Engineers played.

“We’ve received these state legislative grants in past years,” Mazzulla said. “Each year we pick a project we need to do, and this year it is Engineers Field. We need to do $5,000 worth of work there, so this grant will certainly make that happen.”

The second check, for $1,000, went to the Johnston Little League, which is regarded by state youth baseball officials as one of the best programs in Rhode Island.

Bedrosian, meanwhile, emphasized: “In these difficult economic times, this grant will go a long way to help support our total program.”

Lombardo noted that previous legislative grants have helped youth sports programs purchase uniforms, lower registration fees and maintain their respective indoor and outdoor facilities.

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