Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Youth Sports topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
New Bedford City Council honors Whaling City Youth Baseball League on 75th anniversary
Summary
The New Bedford City Council adopted a resolution April 8 recognizing the Whaling City Youth Baseball League’s 75th anniversary and recounting the league’s history, volunteer leadership and community contributions.
The New Bedford City Council on April 8 adopted a resolution honoring the Whaling City Youth Baseball League on the occasion of its 75th anniversary.
The resolution, introduced by Ward 2 Councilor Maria Giesta and seconded by Councilor Linda Morad, recognizes the league’s founding in 1951, its first game at Brooklawn Park on May 13, 1951, early organizers and sponsors, and the league’s long record of volunteer service and community fundraising.
The council cited the league’s founders — Lucien Beauregard, Milton Weaver and Leo Paradise — and early organizers Albert Bridal, John Souza and Jim Curry. The resolution records milestones including the league’s first city championship against the Greater New Bedford Little League in 1956, its first all‑star tournament in 1963, the creation of an instructional league in 1978 and the addition of a T‑ball division in 2009.
Councilor Maria Giesta (Ward 2) called the award “an honor” and thanked the league volunteers, saying, “You guys are amazing. Congratulations on 75 years.” Councilor Brian Gomes (at‑large) praised the league’s long volunteer history and its work on neighborhood safety and field improvements.
The resolution noted that the league currently fields more than 400 players and estimated that “over 10,000 kids” have participated since 1951. It also records that the league’s scholarship program, established in 1976, has awarded “over $100,000” to former players, and that Tom McCarthy, a 1973 graduate of the league, reached the major leagues with the Boston Red Sox in 1985.
The council presented the resolution to members of the Whaling City executive board who attended, including Dave Dumont (president), Jimmy Silva (vice president), Darren Florent (secretary), Andrew Commier (treasurer), Tom Viera (statistician), Derek Cathcart (player agent), Jared Dallaire (instructional and T‑ball) and Nate Silva (public relations). Dave Dumont thanked the council and the league’s volunteers for their long service to New Bedford youth.
The council approved the resolution by voice vote. The adopted text traces the league’s organizational history and commends its volunteers for “community spirit” and continued service.
The resolution and the council’s remarks underscore the role long‑running volunteer sports leagues play in youth programming and neighborhood life in New Bedford.
