Head of Revere Little League steps down

REVERE – When Ron LaQuaglia took over as president of the Revere Little League 16 years ago, he didn’t know if they would be ready in time for opening day in April.”The field was in terrible shape,” LaQuaglia said about the field. “We were picking up rocks the size of my fist.”The program was also in poor financial shape.”When I took over I was given $2,000 in bills and no money,” he said.However, 16 years later, Revere Little League is thriving and LaQuaglia has announced his retirement as its president.”I am ready,” LaQuaglia said. “It is time for me to step aside and let someone younger take the reins.”LaQuaglia has been a part of Revere Little League for 36 years. He started as an umpire, then transitioned to assistant coach and manager, then finally president.In the beginning of his tenure, LaQuaglia took a loan from the bank to pay the league’s outstanding bills and get the field into shape.”It was a lot of work, but we got it done,” LaQuaglia said.But now the field has new dugouts, a press box, lights and grass that is maintained all year long. The field is lovingly referred to as “Little Fenway.””Everyone wants to play on our field. All the kids in the area want to play here,” LaQuaglia said. ‘We have one of the best Little League organizations around.”LaQuaglia found innovative ways to raise money for the organization. He got every city councilor, school committee member and many local businesses to donate money every year.”When I started there were 22 signs on the fences and now when I leave there are like 85,” he said. “All of those are from people who donated.”He also started a telethon to raise money. “We raise from $4,000 to $5,000 each year from it,” he said.LaQuaglia is most proud of the expansion of the program.”We have so many different programs. We have the summer league, T-Ball, the minors and the majors,” he said. “There is something for everyone.”He is also proud of the fact that he helped the City Council put in a cross walk right in front of the field.”It is a busy street and kids are always running in and out there,” he said. “It was a feather in my cap when we got that done.”The field is located on Winthrop Avenue.Revere Little League has always been a part of LaQuaglia’s life. He grew up around the corner from the field and remembers when it was first built.”We use to call it the pit. It was just trees and grass. You couldn’t even tell where the ground was,” he recalls.LaQuaglia says to be successful at his job you have to love baseball and the children. He is also an usher at Fenway Park.”I just love baseball. I love the game,” he said. “I love seeing the children play and do well.”Steve Roncevich will take over as president.”A lot of people wanted me to stay, but I knew it was time to leave. I tell Steve just to stay on the course we are on now and don’t go back. Good things will come,” LaQuaglia said.He does admit he will miss it. “I will probably miss opening day the most and the parade,” he said.However, his retirement doesn’t mean he will stay away from the games. “When I am not working, I will probably go see some of the games and grab some coffee,” LaQuaglia said.Sara Brown can be reached at [email protected].