News Release - City Dedicates Cobbs Hill Baseball Field to the Late Andrew “Andy” Yazwinski
City of Rochester
News Release
(Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021) – Deputy Mayor James Smith was joined by City Councilmember Mary Lupien, Dr. Daniele Lyman-Torres, Commissioner of the Department of Recreation and Human Services and members of the Yazwinski family today to dedicate baseball field #2 at Cobbs Hill Park to Andy Yazwinski, the late director of softball programs for the City of Rochester.
“Andy was a true public servant who was totally dedicated to the people of Rochester and the world of softball,” said Deputy Mayor Smith. “His kindness, commitment, knowledge and fairness was endeared by countless players and fans who participated in the City’s softball leagues. I’m thrilled his legacy will live on here in Cobbs Hill Park.”
Yazwinski was Softball Director for the City of Rochester for more than 42 years, managing the adult leagues at Cobbs Hill Park, the Norton Village Recreation Center and Edgerton Park—a program that at one time hosted more than 4,000 players on nearly 800 men’s, women’s and co-ed teams. For more than four decades, Andy was the Rochester-area Commissioner of the Amateur Softball Association and Deputy Commissioner of New York State Amateur Softball Association. He served as Vice President of the Region 8 Committee of the Amateur Softball Association; and Director for numerous local, state and world tournaments. He was also an owner and manager of the Rochester Express professional softball team, which won a world title in 1980.
Andy was extremely dedicated to providing a quality experience for generations of Rochesterians, often tending to the diamonds himself, hand raking and repairing fields early in the morning and late at night. He was a fierce advocate for making improvements to the City’s softball facilities, driving the City’s investments in new lighting, fencing and major field renovations. Andy was endeared by countless players and fans who participated in the City’s softball leagues. His rare gift of tact and fairness allowed him to skillfully and successfully negotiate heated encounters among players.
As a tribute to his late grandson, Andy founded the 100-Inning Festival that raised more than $100,000 for the Pediatric Cardiology Unit at the Golisano Children’s Hospital. He also served as the Director of many charity softball tournaments and Special Olympics events. He was a true role model cared deeply about softball and sport’s special ability to strengthen the bonds of community.
Yazwinkski earned a place in the New York State Softball Hall of Fame, the Rochester Senior Slow Pitch Hall of Fame and the Adult Recreation Association Hall of Fame.
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