Lawrence Remembered During Labor Day Game

Before the big game, there was a tribute.

Prior to the start of St. Bart's Old-Timers Championship Game on Labor Day, those in attendance remembered Dom Lawrence, the league's commissioner for 26 years who died in July.

Players and fans reserved a moment of silence for the man who worked to help the league grow from four to 10 teams, and through it all preached the message of sportsmanship and fair play. A photo of Lawrence was also hung on a nearby fence at the game, next to the American flag.

Born in Brooklyn, Lawrence settled in Scotch Plains in 1959 and began his service to the community shortly thereafter.

Aside from his nearly three decades as commissioner, Lawrence also extended his help in a number of other capacities in the township. He was one of the founders of the Scotch Plains Junior Baseball League, the Junior Raider football program and the Recreational Soccer Association. He also served as president of the Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School Athletic Booster Club, during which time money was raised to construct a refreshment stand and a press box.

Lawrence was also a coach in the St. Bart's Girls' Basketball League and was president of the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Chapter of the UNICO National.

In memory of his legacy of volunteering and community service, a fund has been set up through the Township of Scotch Plains to help improve the Brookside Park ball field. Anyone wishing to donate should send a check made out to "The Dom Lawrence Brookside Park Fund" to the Scotch Plains Municipal Building, 430 Park Avenue, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076 and Attention: Recreation Department.