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DR. GARY ALVO
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Dr. Gary Alvo, the newly-named commissioner of
baseball for the Howard Palmetto Khoury League, always enjoyed playing
ball when he was a boy and wants the youngsters of Pinecrest to have
the same experience.
As his sons became involved with the Howard Palmetto
Khoury League, Alvo too found himself entwined in the program. His
oldest son, Brian, played for four years and his younger son, Greg,
played for seven years. At the time, Alvo coached their baseball
teams. But, his commitment to the league continued even as his
children outgrew the league.
Alvo was a division vice president for six years and
this past year was vice-president for two separate divisions.
"As a vice-president I monitored what was going
on in each division and made sure that everything was going
smoothly," said Alvo. "I had to make sure that there were
the same number of players for each team, that the draft went smoothly
and I had to make sure the managers are all doing what they are
supposed to do."
 There
are nine divisions in HPKL baseball, with each division representing a
different age group. Approximately 1,300 boys and girls are involved
in the league playing baseball and softball. So, taking on the job as
the league's commissioner of baseball is no small task.
"As commissioner, I will have to monitor the
division vice-presidents to make sure that everything is going
smoothly," said Alvo.
Working to make the league a success is practically a
year-round effort by all parties involved in the league. By late
August, fliers are being designed and printed to mail in September. In
October and November the players register. Teams are organized in
December, practice starts in January and the games begin in February.
The season lasts until June. So, for all the effort involved in making
the league a reality, Alvo wants the coming season to be a success,
meaning that the kids enjoy themselves and have a good time.
"My goal is for the kids to have fun," he
said. "And to keep problems to a minimum. The score isn't who
wins or loses, it's how many kids come back and want to keep
playing."
To achieve a great year of baseball, Alvo intends to
stop conflicts before they start. He'll keep tabs on all the umpires
and make sure all are well trained so they maintain control over the
games and keep the managers in the dugouts.
Alvo says the managers often set the tone for the game
and he will try to instill in them that the game is for the kids and
meant to be for fun.
And, even though there are conflicts, Alvo says the
good times to be had by all far out number the potential problems.
"The most rewarding aspect is just knowing that
I'm a part of making the kids happy," he said. "People ask
me why I do it, since my kids aren't in it. And I say for two reasons;
because I love kids and I love baseball. The fact that you start from
scratch with a list of kids and it evolves into a league of teams,
with people helping to organize something is very satisfying. I guess
I just like to see a nice league, with everyone having a good time and
the kids enjoying themselves. You get to meet a lot of nice parents
and coaches. And after a game, the kids all run around the bases
whether they win or lose."
Alvo, a dentist and Pinecrest resident, is married to
Eileen, who teaches at Temple Beth Am and specializes in gymnastics.
They have three children; Jamie, a junior in college, Bryan, who
graduated this year from Palmetto High, and Greg, entering his
sophomore year at Palmetto.
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