Shelton Little League

Content A Brief History of Shelton Little League Shelton Little League began as three separate leagues: North (Riverview Park), South (Sunnyside Field), and Central (Huntington School Field). In 1984, a reorganization was implemented to reduce the number of leagues from three to two. The city was divided in half, with the North and South leagues merging to form Shelton National Little League , while the Central league became Shelton American Little League . Prior to the merger of the North and South divisions, the Sunnyside complex consisted of one Little League field and two adult softball fields. The Little League field, known as Ted Cowey Field , measured 170 feet down the foul lines and had no paved areas surrounding it. The snack bar was very basic, containing only a stove, refrigerator, and soda dispenser, while the upstairs area remained unfinished. Shelton National Little League has since been blessed with dedicated volunteers, generous donors, and supportive sponsors. Through their commitment and hard work, numerous improvements were made. Fill was added to expand the parking area behind the buildings, and the acquisition of adjoining fields from the Parks and Recreation Department allowed for program growth and facility expansion. New buildings were constructed, and paving was added between and around the fields. Additional upgrades included the installation of heating and air conditioning in all buildings, the construction of two lighted fields, new bleachers, and fully equipped snack bars and restroom facilities. Field enhancements such as scoreboards, snack bar equipment, and irrigation on Field One further improved the complex, creating a strong foundation for Shelton National Little League’s continued success The 1980's In 1984, in an effort to keep baseball alive throughout the summer months, Shelton National Little League introduced a program for 9- and 10-year-olds that would become known as the Little Fellows Baseball Classic . What began with just three teams has grown to nearly 20 teams today. From its inception, the goal has been to make this the premier 9–10-year-old tournament in the state. Teams now travel from as far away as Hartford to participate. The tournament was founded by longtime volunteers Stan Kudej and George Burr . George passed away in 2020, followed by Stan in 2021. Their dedication and impact on Shelton Little League are still felt today and will never be forgotten. During this decade, several field improvements were made. North Field benefited from the installation of a new fence, renovation of the existing building, and repairs to the dugouts. South 1 saw the addition of a new batting cage and the construction of a brand-new building. The 1990's In the 1990s, Shelton National acquired exclusive use of South 2 . The field was developed to support both a softball program and a Challenger Program . Softball experienced slow but steady growth and remains available to all girls residing in Shelton. The Challe