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 Len DiForte, a long time member of the Pitch and Hit Club, will be receiving the Distinguished Man of the Year Award from the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association on February 6th, at the Hall of Fame banquet.
Len has devoted most of his adult life to coaching, managing and promoting Amateur Baseball. He is presently the president of the Metropolitan Collegiate Summer Baseball of Illinois and First Vice President of the All American Baseball Association.
He was introduced to CABA by Neil Winegarner and Roger Tremaine in 1985 and became a State Director. His accomplishments with CABA were bringing Crystal Lake, Illinois as the host site of the most successful 15 Ultimate National Division World Series, he has worked hard in keeping the National College Level World Series alive. Upon retiring from CABA, his duties as State Director, were turned over to Fran Pell who has proven to be a great asset to the CABA program as Len has continued to improve and promote Amateur Baseball.
Len’s dedication and devotion to promoting College Level Baseball has earned him the honor of being an Official of the AAABA, who has presented premier College Level National Tournaments. For the last 62 years over 375 participants rose to the level of playing Major League Baseball. Players like Frank and Joe Torre, Manny Ramirez, Reggie Jackson and Jim Smoltz just to name a few. In addition to being a part of CABA, Len has been North Zone Director with PONY baseball, North Zone Director with the Collegiate Summer Baseball Association, past President of Glen Elyn Boys Baseball, Past President and Founder of West Dupage Colt and Palomino Leagues, past President and Founder of The American Classic Baseball League and is still an active member with the American Baseball Coaches Association.
Awards received by Len are from the international Athletic Foundation (Lifetime Achievement Award) the Pitch & Hit Club (Bill Veeck Lifetime Achievement Award) PONY Baseball (Wall Of Fame), and CABA (State Director of the Year). Len has also received Awards from local baseball organizations and for volunteer and civic work in his community.
Len DiForte has been and still is a mentor to Managers, Coaches and Players, and will continue to be involved with Amateur Baseball. A true lover of Baseball Len is a veteran of World War II, serving in the Army Air Corp. Helen, his wife has also been involved in Len’s activities and has helped raise their nine children, who have produced 25 Grandchildren and 33 Great Grandchildren. Len and Helen reside in Wheaton, Illinois.
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