People of the Year—Larry Strong
Havre de Grace Patch recognizes the People of the Year over the final two weeks of 2011.
Larry Strong with two of his grandchildren at Stancill Field in Havre de Grace.
Leigh Ann Harkins Eller
Photos (4)
Photos
Patch recognizes people or groups with a People of the Year award for their contributions to Havre de Grace in 2011. Nominees were submitted by Patch readers via a submission form, email or on Facebook.
LARRY STRONG
The Legend of Larry Strong began long before most legends take hold.
Because Larry Strong is still going. And he's shown very few signs of slowing down.
Strong is Mr. Little League in Havre de Grace—Mr. Baseball, perhaps. Strong has coached, umpired and gotten his hands dirty more than many in the city could imagine, just to improve the opportunity for the youth of Havre de Grace to play Little League Baseball.
Strong continues to log long, arduous hours at Stancill Field, dragging the infields, painting fences, mowing grass, fixing leaks and divots and replacing the gravel on the warning track.
You name it, Strong does it. And he never seeks credit.
Strong is gruff. His voice gravelly. His last name more than just a generational hand-me-down.
"Larry has been a very big influence in the Havre de Grace Little League for many, many years," resident Leigh Ann Harkins Eller said on Patch's Facebook page. "[He has] dedicated time in coaching, teaching, grounds crew, and the list goes on."
Strong has also coached junior varsity baseball at Havre de Grace High School.
Strong has worked on the grounds at Bulle Rock Golf Course, as well.
But his years have been spent mainly at Stancill Field, where he and his late wife, Margaret, supported their own grandchildren and many more of Havre de Grace's young residents. Margaret passed away last Christmas.
Strong is a member of the Havre de Grace Little League Hall of Fame.
If Havre de Grace had a community Hall of Fame, Strong would be in it's first class.
Do you know Larry Strong, or have a story to share about his impact on Havre de Grace? Share it in the comments. Click below to add an image or video.
In This article
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Havre de Grace High School
700 Congress Ave, Havre de Grace, MD -
Bulle Rock
320 Blenhiem Ln, Havre de Grace, MD
David Glenn
7:40 pm on Monday, December 26, 2011
Mr. Little League is a fitting title. There is not a day that goes by that you don't see Larry's truck at Stancil Field. He spends countless hours at the field as a dedicated volunteer. The key word being volunteer, because if he was in a pay status, you couldn't begin to pay him what he brings to the program. Larry....congratulations on your well-deserved recognition.
Leigh Ann
7:54 pm on Monday, December 26, 2011
We can not say "THANK YOU" enough for all you have done over the years. I have so many memoires to cherish that we have made over the years. Especiall the ones from when your boys played High School ball for the Warriors and Little League. Ms. Sharon and I would always be there to support and cheer for you. Ms. Sharon is truly missed as she too was a great volunteer for many years at Stancil field. Congratulations Larry!
Dave Gleen I agree with you 100%! Thanks for your comment
Tom Phelan
10:49 pm on Monday, December 26, 2011
If you look up volunteer in the dictionary Larry Strong's picture should be there. He's taught multiple generations of HdG's youth to play baseball in addition to making sure that they have the best fields in the county, if not the state on which to play. That means that he also maintains all of the equipment needed for field upkeep. Most folks take for granted what it takes to keep Stancill Park in tiptop shape. A lot of people don't think to offer to help. They just figure "They'll get it." One year we got Larry a shirt that read "They'll get it and I'm they!" He's a great choice and one of HdG' gems. Congrats to Larry!
corina
4:42 pm on Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Way to go Larry, the funny thing is I just called my Father-in-law (LARRY) to tell him Congrats and he had NO IDEA about this. I printed this article out to show him, I know how proud he will be and this is nothing but the TRUTH. Thank You HDG Patch :)
-Corina
Tonya Lynne Jones
5:14 pm on Tuesday, December 27, 2011
CONGRATS COUSIN LARRY WAY TO GO NO ONE OTHER THAN YOU DESERVES THIS. YOU ARE A WONDERFUL HARD WORKING MAN WE ARE SO LUCKY TO HAVE U WE LOVE U AND KEEP UP THE HARD WORK....
Frank strong
5:48 pm on Tuesday, December 27, 2011
I would like to thank Havre de Grace Patch for voting my Father for people of the year my father been coaching for 26 years years he started coaching me when i was 10 and coached me until i was 15 then went on and coached my brother until he was 15 then coached girl's softball and jv baseball and coached my son dajour until he moved to new york last year now he coaches my 9 year son alex and nephew rj he loves Little League he can't wait until april get's here at 68 he reminds me of joe paterno he don't never want to stop he alway's talk's about how he never wanted kid's to play on baseball field's that where in bad shape he scares me when he out to long in that hot humid heat but he going to do what he loves to do that is coach baseball and umpire and make the fields look good he a hard working father that im blessed to have thank you Mr.Stancil
Hollee Sifford
7:55 pm on Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Congrads Larry and well deserving Stancill field is what it is because of you and your devotion to the youth in the community.Now i have a question for felllow patch readers....Does anyone know the name of Larrys mode of transportation?