By JON BAKER

LINCOLN --- The way Lincoln Little League President John Sharkey and Town Council member John Flynn view the situation, few if any directed local ballplayers with more sensitivity, understanding and humor than former coach Randall C. Hien.

That’s why the Town Council, during its meeting two days before Thanksgiving, voted unanimously to name the new Lincoln Little League diamond at Lonsdale Park “Randy Hien Field.”
Hien not only spent 25 years coaching league “house” teams, but also helped the Major Division (11-12) All-Stars to eight district titles, five Rhode Island championships, two New England crowns and a pair of appearances in the Little League World Series, held annually in Williamsport, Pa.
As an assistant to beloved mentor Lou Abraham, Hien played a key role in taking the All-Stars to their first foray in the LLWS back in 2001. As “skipper” in 2003, he brought the squad back to the hills in central Pennsylvania.
Hien died in a tragic car accident in September 2006.
The idea of calling the new diamond “Randall C. Hien Field” just didn’t fit, Sharkey said of the mellow man who the council resolution described as “the heart and soul of the Lincoln Little League.
“Every kid wanted to play for him, and those who did were his friends for life,” the resolution goes on to state. “He made all players feel they were the most important kid on the team.”
“I presented the idea to our Board of Directors back in June, and everyone agreed; that, too, was a unanimous decision,” said Sharkey, since 1996 the league president. “Obviously, I’m delighted, and so is the board.
“Randy was such a great example to the kids; he not only taught them how to play the game of baseball, but how to have fun doing it.
“What made him so special was his ability to communicate with the youngsters, and how to focus on how to play their position,” Sharkey said. “He instilled in them that how they practice will translate to how they perform in games.
“Because of Randy’s influence on this town’s young ballplayers, we’ve had two Memorial Day tournaments in his honor and memory. Those were held to help raise funds for his wife, Patti, and their children.
“He used to encourage kids to play baseball, and have a good time doing it.” Sharkey said. “I used to kid him that we all considered him the ‘Pied Piper’ of Lincoln Little League because he had such a huge following of kids who wanted to play for him. Then again, he also had parents who wanted to get involved.”
While the state-of-the-art diamond has been completed, as well as the positioning of four light posts for night games, Lucena Brothers Construction of Cumberland is still working on two 25-foot cement dugouts near the first- and third-base lines, as well as a press box, concession stand/rest rooms, bullpens, batting cage and stellar scoreboard to sit beyond the left-field fence.
Originally, the field was supposed to be built on the Twin River casino site, but when those plans went awry, Town Administrator T. Joseph Almond mentioned the spot behind Lonsdale Elementary School as the logical place, Flynn said.
While strolling the turf recently, Sharkey, Flynn and fellow councilman James Jahnz were asked what the estimated $1.3 million project (with new parking lots, playgrounds and basketball court) will mean to the town.
“It’s a first-class Little League field that Lincoln can be truly proud of,” Flynn stated.
Offered Sharkey: “I consider it a field of dreams for the youngsters. The whole concept of the field started at the old racetrack eight years ago, and now it’s finally coming to fruition. This will be a place where the kids can ponder what they can become.”
Jahnz daydreamed as he looked toward the outfield fence.
“I see a warm summer night, with kids playing baseball, our nation’s pastime, and everyone having fun — parents watching the kids, little ones eating hot dogs and drinking sodas,” he grinned. “I see it just the way Randy would’ve wanted it.”
Jahnz noted he had met with Sharkey and Flynn at this same location back in June, when there were still 25-foot mounds of dirt.
“It was never a question of who we’d name the field after, but when we’d name it after Randy,” he said. “We had to figure out how to get it done, the process. We figured once the field was near the completion stage, we’d broach the subject again, and put the plan into action. Here we are, standing on Randy Hien Field.”
Sharkey said a dedication ceremony will be held in April. When asked if a sign or plaque would accompany that ceremony, he said, “That’s still up in the air, but we’ll have something for Randy and his family.”