Wednesday was the day for the ceremonial opening of Maine-Endwell’s new baseball field, and there was plenty of star power on-hand to mark the occasion.1988 Maine-Endwell graduate Thomas Tull funded a $2.2 million project for the school which includes a new turf baseball field, along with lighting for the multi-sport stadium, among other improvements and renovations. Tull is chairman and chief executive of Legendary Entertainment, and has produced movies including “300” and “The Dark Knight”. But Tull wasn’t alone for the ceremony on Wednesday, bringing along with him three baseball Hall of Famers in Johnny Bench and Joe Morgan, two Cincinnati Reds legends, and Goose Gossage, a relief pitcher most recognized for his years with the New York Yankees. The ceremonial first pitch was thrown by Tull’s wife, Alba, to the former catcher Bench. The field was named Gary Crooks Field, after current coach Gary Crooks, who also coached Tull when he played baseball for the Spartans back in the 1980’s. Following the ceremony, a short, simulated game was played between M-E and Vestal.
