Sorry, it's been a while since I have updated, but this is a long process and the Christmas holiday derailed things a bit. 

We have a very important meeting coming up this week and Paul Feely of the Union Leader wrote a little piece for you all to see:

Honor for umpire proposed

The Aldermanic Committee on Lands and Buildings will hear a request to name a softball field on the West Side in honor of a beloved longtime local softball umpire.

Luther Cooper died in April 2019 at 75. He was an umpire in Manchester for 50 years for the Carignan League, the Independent League and the Sunday Morning League.

Denise Witmer submitted a request on behalf of USA NH Softball and the New Hampshire softball community to have a sign reading “Luther Cooper Memorial Field” added to the adjacent building behind the backstop. As of last week, 435 people signed an online petition supporting the request.

“He battled many health issues over the years, but the one thing that we all could count on was that Coop would be on that field the second the season started no matter what,” wrote Witmer in her petition. “Coop’s life was softball and many of the amazing umpires we have today were recruited by Coop. You didn’t need to know Coop to see how much he loved the game, the players and his umpires. The joy and pride he felt simply radiated from him.”

Witmer and others indicate in paperwork submitted to the city that they are prepared to cover the cost of this sign and its installation.

The Aldermanic Committee on Lands and Buildings meets Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.

I have a message into the alderman to see if this is an open meeting or not, because I know some of you will want to attend. I will let you know as soon as I know what the status of the meeting is.