Randy Hien Field dedicated to the late legendary coach; scoreboard named in memory of rising star

Ron Dionne, of Dionne Signs, top right, unveils the new scoreboard, renamed Randy Hien Field, in honor of longtime Lincoln coach Randy Hien, at opening day ceremonies of the Lincoln Little League at Lonsdale Park Saturday. Call Photo/Ernest A. Brown

By JON BAKER
 
LINCOLN — Saturday’s mid-morning ceremony marking the official opening of renovated Lonsdale Park — including the dedication of the Little League’s new Randy Hien Field — had yet to begin, but Patti Hien was stunned by the scene.

As young players and coaches paraded onto the plush outfield grass via a gate near the left-field foul pole, Patti — widow of the legendary coach/manager — admitted she couldn’t believe the field’s beauty, or the hundreds of folks who flocked to the fete.
“Did you see the hat?” she grinned, pointing toward the top of the first-base dugout, where her husband’s famed, long-billed cap hung. “That’s what Randy used to wear all the time. He talked so many times about this dream field, and the way it was supposed to look.
“If he was here now, I know what he’d say: ‘Wow! This place is awesome, and what a beautiful day for baseball!’” she added.
Randy Hien was tragically killed at age 57 after being struck by a car on Walker Street on Sept. 25, 2006.
Just over two years later, two days before Thanksgiving, the Town Council voted unanimously to name the field after the mellow, fun-loving but focused Lincoln Little League Major Division (11-12) All-Stars coach, one who helped direct his squads to eight district titles, five Rhode Island championships, two New England regional crowns and a pair of appearances in the Little League World Series.
 
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On this sun-drenched morning, officials — including Town Administrator T. Joseph Almond, veteran Parks & Recreation Department Director Paul Prachniak, Little League President John Sharkey and emcee Frank Carpano, sportscaster for NBC’s Channel 10 — also dedicated the scoreboard outside the left-field fence for Michael Monteleone, who as a Lincoln High freshman died tragically of a heart ailment during a baseball practice on May 9, 2005.
A plaque citing Monteleone’s contribution to the league, and town athletics, also was seen underneath that scoreboard.
Dozens arrived to bask in the day’s glory, and prominent invited guests included State Sen. Edward O’Neill and Rep. Mary Ann Shallcross Smith; Town Council President Ronald McKenna and fellow members James Jahnz, Arthur (“T.J.”) Russo, John Flynn and former President Jeremiah T. O’Grady; Schools Superintendent Georgia Fortunato; and several School Committee members, among them Chairman Elizabeth “Betty” Robson, Julie Zito, Richard Battistoni, Tracey Cavanaugh and Mary Anne Roll.
The idea of such a complex began just after Sharkey became League President in 1996, and slowly came to fruition. He said it took about 18 months to finish between groundbreaking and the last touches, provided by Parks & Recreation personnel just hours before the ceremony.
Lucena Bros. Construction of Cumberland did most of the work, which included four massive lights posts for night contests; two 25-foot cement dugouts; concession stand with restrooms; bullpens; batting cages and other amenities.
A press box is still being erected behind home plate.
“Oh, my God, if Randy was here, he’d look at this place and be like a little kid, just chuckling,” Sharkey said while teams were being introduced on this “Opening Day.” “Boy, would he have a lot to say! This field is 205 feet down each foul line, and 217 feet to straightaway center. It was supposed to be 220 feet with the initial plan, like ‘Prack’ said, but it was moved to 217 to commemorate Randy’s birthday, which was July 21.
“This is, without a doubt, the most beautiful park in the state. I mean, you’d have to go to Bristol, Conn. (site of the annual New England Regional Championships) to find something to rival it,” he added. “My hope is that we can host a regional tournament here in a few years.”
 
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Almond said the entire project, aided by funds from Twin River offered years ago, cost about $1.5 million.
“I can’t imagine a better place for kids to play ball,” he said. “It turned out great. If you look at this entire campus and the renovations (including new playground items and basketball courts), this is an amazing place for the children of Lonsdale Elementary School but also the whole community. This is their backyard now. This was planned with everyone in mind.
He noted the Manville Park project will begin soon, and will resemble this site.
“I must say this was quite a partnership between the school department and the municipal side,” Fortunato offered. “It wasn’t just about the field, about giving the school children and others a place to play and grow. It used to be a horrific site, but now it’s magnificent.”
Added School Committee member Roll: “It certainly was a community endeavor, and it’s fabulous. You have to continue to make investments in programs and facilities that benefit all kids, even in challenging economic times like this.”
During the ceremony, Sharon Stager sang the National Anthem, while Alexandra MacKenzie and Jacob Jourdan read the Little League Pledge. Following the dedication of the scoreboard to Monteleone and the field to Hien (by Sharkey), the loudspeaker delivered to the public John Leclerc’s song “Never Give Up,” one the local resident wrote and produced.
Hien’s seven-year-old son, Randall, appropriately threw the ceremonial first pitch, a perfect strike, to catcher Jake Petrin, and the Northern Elementary School Chorus, dubbed “Northern Lights,” gave a solid rendition of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.”
Anthony Monteleone, Mike’s dad with wife Patti, said he was touched by the turnout.
“There were a lot of friends and teammates of his here, and friends of mine, too,” he said with a smile. “There were thoughts of naming this field after Michael, but – when Randy passed away – it was a no-brainer. He meant so much to Mike. He was the definition of what a Little League baseball coach should be, and how to teach a child the proper way to play and act. He not only taught them about the game, but life, too.
“Mike would be 18 now, and he was going to be 6-4; he already had size 14 shoes!” he continued. “He had everything there for total athleticism, and I know he wanted to attend Stanford (University) and play there. He was an All-Star at every level, and made the varsity baseball team as a freshman; he was a pitcher and shortstop, but he was going to play third for Ed Hunt.
“He was the epitome of a Lincoln athlete, a team player. This means the world to us as a family.”
Patti Hien – mother to six with Randy and surrounded by her husband’s mom, Jean, and other family members – had similar thoughts.
“You know, there are a lot of dedicated people who are wonderful coaches, but what made Randy so special was his ability to reach every child, make them learn the ‘science’ of baseball. He had a passion to make every individual the best player they could be, and – when those ingredients came together – that would make the best possible team,” she explained.
“You know, there was a kid named Steven Brown who Randy used to coach, and he was 21 or 22 and living in Texas as a college student,” she added. “He flew back for Randy’s funeral, and we talked. He told me he taught him not only the game bus also life lessons, like ‘perfect practice makes perfect,’ not just practice; and to know the strike zone. He told me that Randy said, like an umpire, you’re always going to have a supervisor who has authority over you, so you can either fight it – like a called strike outside – or learn to work within the supervisor’s boundaries, and do the best you can to adjust to the situation.
“He just had so much fun with the kids, too. He knew how to make them laugh, but work hard, too. This is so special, and Randy would be so pleased.”