New Hyde Park Little League Elects First Female President

The New Hyde Park Little League is in a transition. Former president Tom Pelligrino is moving on and Nancy Gregory, the first female president in league history, will be fulfilling the role of President of Little League.

Over the last 7 years Pelligrino has left a long legacy and a high standard that an acutely aware Gregory plans on meeting.

Pelligrino and Gregory both established the transition to be as smooth as possible with Pelligrino staying with the little league through the 2013 opening day parade to help Gregory navigate her first into her first season.

“At first I felt like I was taking his baby,” she said after the conclusion of the 2013 parade. “He put so much into it. He’s been great showing me the ropes, what to watch out for what to focus on, he’s made it so easy.”

A lifelong lover of softball, Gregory has played or coached most of her life. She also taught summer camps while playing college softball for C.W. Post. Prior to taking the role as president she served as a manager for 7 years with the little league. Her most essential softball education occurred while growing up in the Bronx, “but I really learned while playing wiffle ball with my brothers in the street,” she said.

That the New Hyde Park Little League is an integral part of the community dating back to its inception in 1938 isn’t lost on Gregory.

“To be a part of something so important to our community, I’m honored and humbled, especially providing for our children,” she said. “We are here for the community and I would love for the community to get involved.”

She also plans on continuing a mentality started by Pellegrino.

“He’s always kept up with any of the changes or trends that would be good for the kids,” she said. “If it would be good for the kids he would work it in. Yeah it’s a traditional sport but it can be modernized and that’s the torch I’d like to run with.”

Gregory has already started by initiating training camps for children who may be shy due to underdeveloped skills. Batting, pitch, and fielding clinics will all be conducted to help younger kids “really get a good grip on the fundamentals.”

She added that she would like to see more residents become involved, whether it is with coaching or more children as players and would like to keep little league as open and inclusive of anyone who wants to play.

“If you want to play baseball you come to little league and you’re going to get on a team,” she said.

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