SPRINGETTSBURY TOWNSHIP, YORK COUNTY, Pa.-- It was the end of the season for York Little League Baseball on Saturday. It was also the end of era. The teams played their final games at Shipley Field off of North Hills Road.
York Little League President Steve Bartkowski expressed that this field meant a lot to people.
He said, "this is our Wrigley Field."
The field served as the home for York Little League since 1962. In August the league learned the land was for sale and their lease was not going to be renewed.
Saturday was the last time for the teams to pitch, hit and run on the field.
"It did not hit me until this morning," Bartkowski said.
He even scooped up some dirt from the field to take to their new field for next year.
"It's sad," parent Brad Beschler said. "I know my son is excited to play today."
"I grew up here," Bill Scarborough, a former York Little League player said.
He drove from Augusta, West Virginia to watch the game.
"When you spend three to four years of your life at this particular field, some of the best years of your life, it's a nice place to visit," he said.
He played the first season the field opened, and his father even helped to build the field. Through the advent of social media, he found out Saturday was its last game.
"A lot of emotion. Good feelings. Missing a lot of friends, knowing a lot of friends that I played ball with are gone but good feelings," Scarborough said.
He hopes for the best for York Little League.
"I just hope the York Little League can get a new home and get 50 years out of it," he said.
"It's emotional. It's sentimental. A lot of memories being as a kid then being a parent with both my boys, but we'll play somewhere next year," parent Jeff Regener said.
Right now the league can still play on other fields in Spring Garden and Springettsbury Townships. They hope the new owner of the land will be able to work out a new lease agreement with them.
Bartkowski saved the very first ball thrown at the field and the very last.