Longseth Field dedicated on NYS Opening Day

Niwot Youth Sports held Opening Day ceremonies on Sunday, April 27, at Hangge Fields at Monarch Park.

After early games concluded, the ceremonies began with "The Star-Spangled Banner," performed by an abbreviated version of the Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free Grange Band. Afterward, outgoing NYS President Pat Longseth thanked the assembled parents, players and fans for their support over his decade of service to the organization, which was highlighted by the construction of a multi-purpose concession, storage and restroom building at the site.

Longseth turned the microphone over to Jon Hangge, incoming President of Niwot Youth Sports, who announced that the board of directors had unanimously voted to name Field #4 Longseth Field, in honor of the service to the organization of not only Pat Longseth, but the entire Longseth family.

Hangge noted that the Longseth family's involvement began with Larry and Terry Longseth, parents of Pat Longseth and Robbie Longseth, when both boys played baseball in the 1980s. Larry Longseth served as Equipment Manager for NYS for many years when his sons were playing, and helped build the fields at Monarch Park in the late 1980s. Larry and Terry Longseth were also instrumental in helping raise the funds for the construction of the new building.

Other fields at the site have been dedicated in the past, including Canar Field, dedicated in memory of former coach Jim Canar, Comer Field, named in memory of former coach Jim Comer, and Dageenakis Field, dedicated in honor of the Dageenakis family, which continues to be involved in NYS programs as Tony Dageenakis, son of John A. Dageenakis and one of the founders of the organization, continues to serve on the board of directors.

The entire Monarch Park ballfield site was dedicated several years ago as Hangge Fields, in honor of the Hangge family, which also continues to be involved in NYS programs as Jon Hangge takes over as president of the organization.