Editor:

“Rainmakers” are hard to find. In mid-April, I was asked by Charles Adams (“tournament rainmaker”) to join him in making the National Junior College Athletic Association Division III Baseball World Series happen here at East Field.

Charles’ vision, passion, sense of community, enthusiasm and commitment to East Field’s revitalization won me over. My task, as a volunteer, was to help enlist the area baseball enthusiasts to join in the process of hosting this national event in Glens Falls for the first time. I was overwhelmed by the response and support we received from “baseball people“ to volunteer to do all they could to meet NJCAA requirements.

We had an army of baseball fans who volunteered during the NJCAA, D-III Baseball World Series National Championship Tournament.

This includes volunteers enlisted by chairpeople who did everything asked while sharing in the process of determining and celebrating the collegiate champions.

The support of community organizations, government officials, city employees, private and corporate businesses and our college and school communities working in concert, made the first year hosting of this event a success.

There were many links in this solid chain of cooperation that made our tournament director Charles Adams and administrative assistant Saundra Aubin proud to say this is our championship team: “Hometown USAI.” This was volunteerism at its best.

Despite one of the rainiest periods most can remember in May for the tournament, we received nothing but favorable reviews from the four NJCAA officials who were here.

I guess Charles was too good of a “rainmaker” — he really made things happen.

However, we need to hear feedback from the community in determining whether we should work to bring this tournament back here next year.

Please feel free to make your thoughts known in any way you feel is appropriate.

BOB BOGDAN

Assistant NJCAA Tournament Director

South Glens Falls