Richard “Dick” Myers

On February 20, 2018, Middlesex Little League lost another Legend, when Richard “Dick” Myers passed away.

Mr. Myers became involved in Middlesex Little League in the late 1960’s when his stepson, Anthony Vitelli was chosen to play for Little League Legend, Steve Fellin and the Big Red Machine.  Mr. Myers joined the board and his impact was felt immediately.  His vision brought the Ms. Little League program to be part of the Opening Day Ceremonies.  He oversaw a number of programs to include “Collection Day,” where players from all 8 teams, back then, went around town and collected funds and provided a Little League Supporter Sticker to be placed on your door with a donation of $1 and the “Raffle” program.  The Raffle saw each player given an amount of raffle tickets to sell and there were incentives for selling the tickets.  If you sold a certain amount you earned a baseball, the next level earned you a bat and the next level earned you a glove.  After the first year of the program over 60% of the players were earning all three incentives.  

Mr. Myers joined Mr. Fellin as his assistant coach in 1969.  Together they would go on to win two league Championships and coach three “Allstar” teams.  One “All Star” team had 7 left handed players on the team.  A challenge they enjoyed having.  That duo remained together until Mr. Myers stepped down and moved upstairs and handled the position of Treasurer until stepping away some 30 years later.  During his coaching tenure, he had the pleasure to help coach his two son’s Dickie and Wayne Myers.  Mr. Myers has grandchildren and nephews that are still involved in the program.  

Mr. Myers biggest accomplishment not only impacted Middlesex Little League but Little League World Wide.  It was the “2 INNING RULE.”  Mr. Myers and Mr. Fellin believed that all kids should play and learn.  One day, Mr. Myers observed a team practicing with only 10 players.  At that time there were 14 players on a team.  The manager told him some kids were sick and others had previous plans.  The next week Mr. Myers observed the same team with the same 10 kids practicing.  He didn’t wait for an excuse to be given.  At the next meeting held, he presented the “2 inning rule.”  It stated every player must play 2 innings in the field and get at least 1 at bat.  That night the Little League District Commissioner Jack Shankis was in attendance.  He listened to Mr. Myers presentation and asked if he could take the idea to his Regional Board.  The next season the “2 inning rule” was enacted for Middlesex Little League and sometime later it would become a Little League rule World Wide.  

Mr. Myers held every position in Middlesex Little League (President, VP, Secretary, Player Agent and Treasurer) except for Manager.  He left that to his best friend Mr. Fellin.  Mr. Myers enjoyed being the man behind the scene teaching kids how to keep a scorebook, so if they wanted to earn money keeping score and keeping the balls and strikes on the scoreboard, they knew how to properly.

Mr. Myers was happy helping build the GREATEST LITTLE LEAGUE around with other Middlesex Little Legends Steve Fellin, Tom Powanda and Bob Green.