Batter up! Gridley Little League celebrates Opening Day
Mar 23, 2022 12:00AM ● By By Seti Long
The Pirates, who play softball in the Majors and are coached by Amber Bozzo (center), pose for a team picture at Opening Day on Saturday, March 19 at Manuel Vierra Park in Gridley. Photo courtesy of Seti Long
Gridley, CA (MPG) – Hundreds of children, accompanied by their families, congregated at Manuel Vierra Park in Gridley Saturday to participate in the 2022 Gridley Little League (GLL) Opening Day ceremonies.
This is the first Opening Day held by the GLL since 2020, when COVID-19 shut down sports around the world, including little league. Games resumed last year, but without the pomp-and-circumstance of Opening Day. GLL President Joe Dewsnup began the day announcing the teams, including each player, on the Majors/Minors field promptly at 9 A.M. on Saturday.
There were some traditional team names for the Minor and Major teams that packed the outfield as they had their moment in the spotlight, such as the “Giants,” “Nationals” and “Red Sox.” There were also some very creative names for the Farm and T-ball teams, such as the “Lightning Sloths,” “Sea Unicorns” and “Booyah.” It took about an hour to announce all 36 teams that make up the league this season.
After introductions, the teams saluted the American flag and observed the singing of the national anthem, performed by Erica White. Then, the ceremonial first pitch was thrown by long-time Little League umpire James Valenzuela, who has been officiating games for nine years.
Attention then turned to the children that packed the field as they recited the little league pledge, “I trust in God. I love my country and will respect its laws. I will play fair and strive to win, but win or lose, I will always do my best.” It was then the parents and coaches turn to recite their version of the little league oath.
“Opening day was great,” said mother of two, Jeannie Mattos. “It was so fun watching them run out onto the field with so much excitement for opening ceremonies and just being able to be kids, playing and doing something they love again. As a parent, it made me so happy to be able to watch them and cheer them on. It’s definitely something we shouldn’t take for granted.”
As opening ceremonies came to an end, the players quickly scattered. Some began preparing for their first game while others had a little down time before they took a swing at their first pitch of the season.
