The Ranney School varsity baseball team opened its 2021 season on April 19 and honored a beloved member of the Ranney Operations Team as the newly renovated field was dedicated in his memory before the game.
Thanks to the generous philanthropic support of Ranney School parents Gary and Joanne Chropuvka of Red Bank, (Charles ’22, Curtis ’25, and Holden ’29), the baseball field will be known as Richard G. Leister Field, according to a press release.
“We love contributing to the momentum and growth of the Ranney School baseball program,” said Mr. and Mrs. Chropuvka. “Baseball holds a special place in our hearts just
as Richie Leister does for our entire community.
“He was the face of Ranney and we could not think of a better way to celebrate him than by seeing his name memorialized at the field where he constantly cheered on the students.”
In addition to Ranney families, faculty and staff, the event was attended by Richard Leister’s wife, Patricia, their sons, Conor and Kieran, and members of the extended family. Conor Leister threw the first pitch to outfielder Charlie Chropuvka.
The project included extensive renovations to the field and outdoor batting cages, as well as the addition of a new scoreboard and live streaming through PlaySight Interactive, according to the press release.
Ranney School is an age 3 through Grade 12 independent, co-ed, secular college preparatory school based in Tinton Falls, serving students across Monmouth and Ocean counties.
