Shell Creek field named in honor of I.P. Little League icon

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Shell Creek Park was recently renamed in honor of John “Jack” Leddy, a longtime coach, president and leader of the Island Park Little League.
The field will now be known as John “Jack” Leddy Memorial Field. A ceremony date remains to be determined, but it will likely be sometime in the spring.
“The Island Park Little League is proud and grateful to have this honor bestowed on a man that is considered the cornerstone of our foundation,” the IPLL said in a statement. “Jack Leddy gave selflessly to the children of our community for years, and was respected and revered by his players and peers. Many of our past players that were coached by Jack — some now with grandchildren of their own in the league — will undoubtedly share in the pride and joy we feel, as they knew the man and experienced his enthusiasm and dedication to the sport of baseball and the kids that played it.”
Leddy wore many hats in the Island Park Little League. He began coaching in 1968, and the following year served as the Island Park District Representative in New York District 30, which is now Little League International. He became president of the IPLL in 1970. He also served nearly 30 years as administrator of District 30, which encompasses the Little Leagues of Rockville Centre, Lynbrook, Oceanside, Long Beach/Lido Beach, Freeport, Baldwin, East Rockaway and Island Park, and served as liaison to the Eastern Region of Little League International.
Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin and Councilman Anthony D’Esposito — in collaboration with the Hempstead Town Board — voted to rename the field.

“John Leddy was a staple in the Island Park Little League, serving as a coach, mentor and friend to hundreds of children for many years,” Clavin said. “The Town of Hempstead is proud to dedicate John ‘Jack’ Leddy Memorial Field at Shell Creek Park, and we look forward to many exciting years of the Island Park Little League at the ball field.”
John and his wife, Carol, who is known as “Mrs. Little League,” are credited with keeping Little League baseball going in Island Park. His service helped grow the league into what it is today, a place where young ballplayers can learn the value of fun, teamwork and character building.
“John Leddy embodied the spirit of the Island Park community during his many years of service to the Island Park Little League,” Councilman D’Esposito said. “It’s fitting that his name will greet future generations of Little Leaguers for years to come.”
Thomas Leddy, one of John and Carol’s five children, said the family is proud of the designation. “It was a passion and a love for my father to see the kids play ball,” Thomas said. “He was involved in Little League for 30 years and was all in on it, in addition to working a full-time job six days a week.”
In its statement, the IPLL lauded Leddy for his dedication. “Whether as a coach, board member, district representative or league president, Jack Leddy’s spirit embodied the core principles of Little League —character, courage and loyalty — and through his actions, he instilled those principles in the players and coaches whom he served as a leader,” it said. “We congratulate the Leddy family on this well-deserved accolade and thank the Town of Hempstead for honoring Jack Leddy, and look forward to the first game played on the newly dedicated Jack Leddy Field at Shell Creek.”