To Frank B. Lundy III and his sister, Anne, it was just some old uniform she could cut the arms out of to make it into a Halloween costume.
When he was 10 years old, Lundy found the jersey in the closet of his grandfather, Richard H. Lundy, an original Little League team sponsor. The jersey belonged to Frank B. Lundy II, who wore it at the first Little League Baseball game in 1939.
Frank II was not part of the team because he was too young and his uniform was an extra that his father purchased for his children.
Article Photos
MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette
Charles Lundy, 8, son of Don and Jenn Lundy, of Williamsport, sports one of the first Lundy Little League uniforms. With him at top are Frank B. Lundy III, left, and Frank B. Lundy II, both of Williamsport. Charles is a cousin of Frank B. Lundy III.
"I was 6 years old," Frank II said.
That historic game, won by Lundy Lumber, started a youth sports program that now is enjoyed all over the world. It was once of only
twice that Frank II wore the uniform. The other time he wore it was to get his picture taken. Other than that, it sat in various closets through the decades.
"It was preserved by the grace of God," Frank III said.
Lundy Construction, formed from a partnership following Lundy Lumber, now is the oldest Little League sponsor still in operation, Frank III said.
Carl E. Stotz contacted Frank III's grandfather, Richard H. Lundy, with an idea that he had about getting together some children to play sandlot baseball and providing them with a jersey and a hat. Every child would be able to play in every game.
"There's nothing worse than a kid on a team who doesn't get to play," Frank III said Monday.
Richard told Stotz to get some more sponsors involved and he would sponsor a team.
The public will get a chance to see the uniform at tonight's parade, which steps off at 6 p.m. at the intersection of Susquehanna and West Fourth streets. Frank III's cousin, Charlie, will wear it.
Following the parade, Frank III said he will have the uniform restored to fix damage from the Halloween costume and time, then use it for the company's 80th year celebrations next year.
He also will sign an agreement to loan the uniform to the Peter J. McGovern Little League Museum every year in August so that people can see it during the World Series. At the end of August, it will return to Lundy Lumber to be displayed.
