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"PLAY BALL" : Little League Opening Ceremonies Kick Off Summer 2008!

May 4, 2008       Leave a Comment
By: Kevin Leahy

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Little leaguers, coaches and parents enjoyed a couple beautiful warm opening weekends of youth baseball here in Bay City.

Gage Zielinski takes a good cut at it during play this past weekend at South End Little League's St. Hyacinth's Field.
(MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Leahy)

South East and South West began play last weekend with North East and North West hitting the diamonds this week end.

The opening ceremonies were held at North East Saturday morning with all teams, coach's and parents invited to take part.

The entire 12 teams of NELL were present during the opening ceremony.
(MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Leahy)

In addition to the current players being recognized the Board of Directors also invited the 13 year old "graduates," of the North East program to be honored. "These players have enjoyed five years in the program and we expect to see them do great things in the future," said League President Randy Tomke with the public address system from the pitchers mound.

The Graduate 13 year olds of NELL were presented a plaque for their five years of training. (MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Leahy)

Coach Jud Morse was proud to inform us that participation is up by almost 35%, "we went from 110 players last year to 150," said Morse before trotting onto the field with his team.

President Tomke believes the increase of players stems from the corner of Michigan and Trumbull in Detroit, "the increase has alot to do with the Tigers doing well," said Tomke after the opening ceremony.

The tee-ballers joined their major league counterparts as NELL showed off its 150 plus players.
(MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Leahy)

The excitement and participation should swell for the next couple of years as the Tigers have acquired the personnel to make some serious noise in the big leagues.

Little league coverage sponsor Peak Performance would like to think they have their hand in the increased participation as they are in their third year of offering year round training at their facility.

One of the thirteen year olds gets his hardware.
(MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Leahy)

It may be that the state Little League Tournament will be held here in Bay City later this summer. "We had great participation building our new pavilion in anticipation of the state tournament coming here," said Tomke.

The excitement was palpable with so many players and parents at the field at one time. The atmosphere was festive and the smell of hot dogs and popcorn provided a warm memory of Little League games at Sovereign Field.

Coach Joel Mitrzyk looks on as some of the NELL Board members were recognized.
(MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Leahy)

Anyone that has played, coached, umpired or volunteered knows its all about the kids and by the looks of the proud parents nothing has changed. Its amazing how attentive and excited a parent is when their child is batting or fielding a play.

SELL Umpire Mike Wilinski calls a heeeyaaaastrike!!! during action Saturday morning.
(MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Leahy)

MyBayCity.com would like to thank Peak Performance again for their support of youth baseball in Bay City and for sponsoring our coverage of Little League baseball this season.

We will be publishing our coverage of Little League with full color action photo's and updates every week as to whats happening in Little League baseball throughout Bay City. All coach's or managers who would like to have their teams or players recognized please email me at Kevin@MyBayCity.com with results and statistics. Now, "PLAY BALL!!!"

The South End 7-9 year old league is all about teaching the fundamentals, as A&W takes on St. Hyacinth's.
(MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Leahy)

The Umpire in Chief Tony Streeter took part in the opening ceremony at North East Saturday.
(MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Leahy)

Board Members of North East Little League were honored, John Zimoiskey, Paul Kairns, Jim Majchrzak, Brad Lodewyk, Tony Streeter, Mike Staudacher, Carolyn Streeter, Lori Bartkowiak, Jud Morse, Dean Miller, Marcy Vincent, Randy VanTol, Pat Neitzel, Jack Philips and Craig Kokaly.
(MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Leahy)

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Kevin Leahy
Kevin Leahy has an interest in all sports-related activities at the Local, State and National levels. Looking for the inside story? Leahy's got it . . . More from Kevin Leahy

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