New youth football league in Elmira after Horseheads Small Fry cancellation

ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM) – The owner of the “Willie H. Owens Field of Fathers” on Sullivan St. says he is starting a new youth football league this Sunday. Willie Owens says he wants to give nearly 150 kids a chance to keep playing after Horseheads Small Fry Football canceled the rest of its season amid confrontations between parents, coaches and officials that involved police.

“The Willie H. Owens Field of Fathers” at 1209 Sullivan St. is the new name of the former Tom Sawyer Little League field. Owens purchased the field in 2023 and named it after his father. He is continuing to renovate the field. Owens says the first games for the new league will be played Sunday starting at 11 am

Earlier this week, 18 Sports learned the Horseheads Small Fry league decided to shut down after just three weeks of games in the intermediate, junior and senior divisions. The flag football division, for players ages five through six, was also canceled.

According to multiple parents of players, several incidents led to a decision to stop play. Police were called on multiple occasions to restore order with coaches, referees and parents who were engaged in heated confrontations on the field at Thorne Street Park in Horseheads.

Owens says the new league in Elmira will be free of charge. He says players will use the equipment they were using in Horseheads. As for insurance, parents will have to sign a waiver. Owens says the league will also have new officials.

Father’s Day cookout at “Field of Fathers” in Elmira

“They closed down Horseheads Small Fry, so the coaches and concerned parents reached out to me,” Owens told 18 News. “They said, we got all these kids that want to play football, you know, just distracted. “I’m in a position, with my team to make it happen. So, it’s going to be a new league. It’s a new day.”

“How many kids are you expecting?” asked reporter Nick Dubina. “I’m thinking right now, maybe 80% of the kids will be here to play, because again, it’s terrible that would happen, for whatever reason that would happen.”

“We have brand new veteran officials, adults who have been doing it a minimum of 25 years, and they’re all certified.”

Coach Daryl Green told 18 News players will use the football equipment they already paid to use at Horseheads Small Fry. If they don’t have equipment, it will be provided for them.

“What we’re trying to do is have the kids keep all their equipment until the season is over so they can play the full season,” said Coach Green. So, they play the full season out, and then when we’re done with them, we’ll bring them back to them.”

Owens also says parents will only be allowed to sit on bleachers behind a fence and will be kept off the field.

“No parents will be allowed on the field,” Owens added. “Only coaches, referees, and maybe if someone wants to record footage, that’s it.”

Owens says for the remainder of this season, there will be no cost.

“No, we’re not charging anyone,” Owens said. “We’re not charging any kids. It’s our community. We’re all one. I think between me, the coaches and the supporting community, we can take that off of their hands for now. You know, they are already going through enough already. The parents are stressful. The adults, coaches, everyone, the community is stressful, So no, it’s no fee. It’s free.”

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