A new scoreboard was dedicated this week on the Lansford Little League baseball field.

It replaces one which was about 15 years old and, according to Little League Vice President Glen Karnish, was basically worn out."It had some internal problems," Karnish said of the previous scoreboard. "Sometimes the score would change by itself."The bright red and white scoreboard which was used for the first time was a gift from Jim Thorpe National Bank.The structure, made of steel, measures 8-by-16 feet total and has LED lighting with a wireless controller.During the dedication, JTNB president and CEO Craig Zurn was asked to toss the first pitch for a Little League game as acknowledgment of the league's appreciation for the donation.Zurn said when he was a youngster, he played Little League baseball. He said he recalls the fourth inning rule during which baseball players passed a hat to spectators to obtain funds which supported the baseball program. "I was able to pass the hat again, but with the bank," he said. "They responded with a sizable contribution."He said this is the fourth scoreboard the bank is purchasing for Little League fields this year. One was donated to Franklin Township to replace a board that was ruined by a hurricane, one was bought for the Sam Miller Field in Jim Thorpe which didn't have any, and one will replace an aging scoreboard on another Jim Thorpe field next spring."The philosophy and mission of a true community bank is to strive to be a good corporate citizen," Zurn said. "As part of being part of a good corporate citizen, we're always giving back to the community."He said bank employee Jen Karnish, who works at the Lansford branch, brought the proposal for the Lansford scoreboard to his attention. Zurn said the response wasn't difficult."The Lansford community has been really good to Jim Thorpe National Bank," he said, stating he feels it was natural to help out the Little League.The bank's motto, said Zurn, is "Investing In Our Youth."He said the dedication and donation was not only to recognize the bank, "but also recognize so many others who have done so much for our youth. As an ex-Little Leaguer, I'm very thankful and appreciative of what was given to me."Glen Karnish remarked, "We'd like to thank Jim Thorpe National Bank. (The scoreboard) is a much needed improvement to the complex in Lansford. Countless players and families are involved with the program with T-ball, softball, Babe Ruth. Countless people are affected by the donation by the bank."Several other individuals were also given recognition for assisting in the scoreboard installation. They include:• Jake Maurer, an employee of PPL, and the PPL Corporation, for drilling the holes for the scoreboard through their community service program.• Krajcirik Automotive of Lansford for storing and delivering the scoreboard to the field.• Kovatch Corporation of Nesquehoning for painting and delivering the I-beams and for providing a forklift and operator to place them in the holes.• Jeff Yeakel for donating his time to operate the forklift.• Mike Turrano, Glen Karnish, Tim Goida, John Rickert, Bob Thomas, and Jay Doyle for the cement work.• Bob Davidovich of Panther Valley Lumber for donation of the forklift and mounting hardware.• Mike Turrano, Glen Karnish, Tim Goida, John Rickert, and Angie Blasko for mounting the scoreboard.• Rick Soto for wiring the new board.