Oneonta Little Leaguers
Honor Rich, Pat Murphy
Up Country Photo Little League team members – from left, Logan Tamming, Alex Casola, Nikola Buzzy, Caelen Legg, Matthew Layman, Ethan Tamming and Leylani Wiltshire cheer and chant their way into the Doc Knapp Little League Field this morning in Oneonta’s Sixth Ward after marching down River Street to opening day ceremonies. There, the recently completed Richard Murphy Little League Field was rededicated in honor of Murphy and his wife, Pat, who coached and volunteered with the league for 28 years. “He loved the game,” said the wife. “For him it was simple: Teach the rules, develop a love for (baseball) and have fun doing it.” She repeated his coaching mantra, “See the ball; be the ball.” Murphy, a retired educator who also represented the Town of Oneonta on the county Board of Representatives, passed away last August after a long battle with cancer. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)