Batavia baseball league names field after longtime volunteer
Officials, coaches, parents and players of Batavia Youth Baseball paused Saturday before a rookie league game to honor Norm Miller, a long-time coach who was unable to be there because of illness.
Miller remained in the hospital as about 200 people gathered to dedicate one of the diamonds at Big Woods Park in Batavia as Norm Miller Field.
"Norm wants to say thank you," said Miller's sister, Pam Rudderham of Batavia. "Coaching baseball gives him a reason to get up everyday," she said through tears. "He wants you to know that he has gotten more from the kids than he has given to them."
Miller, who lives in St. Charles and has no children of his own, became involved in coaching 19 years ago when Rudderham's sons were playing youth baseball. She now has a grandson and Miller is offering him advice, she said.
Both John Oroni, commissioner of Batavia Youth Baseball and a coach, and former commission Dan Brace credited Miller with developing Batavia's travel program.
"Batavia Youth Baseball is an all-volunteer organization," Oroni said. "We rely on volunteers. Every once in a while someone does more than is expected, and Norm is that guy. He's been a coach and a board member and he built the travel team from one team to ten."
"Norm got the travel program off the ground," Brace said. "You might say he's artistic. He's a good organizer and he helped develop the structure of the program. He's also a great baseball guy. You don't often get the two together."
Miller is currently coach of the Batavia Bulldogs gold travel team and several of his players were on hand for the ceremony.
"He keeps us in check, he never lets us get too excited," said Andrew Van Treeck, 14. "He lets us learn from our bad experiences, but he also cheers us up. He never yells at us."
"He's a great coach, he knows a lot," said teammate Sean Oroni, also 14.
Miller was hospitalized three times last year but came back to coach in July.
"I know he'll be here the day he gets out of the hospital," Brace said.