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 Check Out "Dugout the LL Mascot" Youtube Channel Poll
Should Sealy LL have a Fall League (instructional)?
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Opening Day in big-boy/girl pants
By: Dwayne Cooper
Updated: 03/30/2008 at 10:41 PM
Sealy,Tx -
Major League Baseball’s Opening Day is this week with the games you can hear the tune “Take me out to the ballgame, take me out to the crowd...”
Buy all the peanuts and Cracker Jacks you want, but you’d be hard-pressed to find more fun than with the Sealy Little Leaguers, who have thrown out their own opening pitch. “I think the kids, the parents, the coaches, the grandparents — especially the grandparents — enjoy it” said Buddy George VP of Baseball for the League “The parents enjoy it, but the grandparents really enjoy it.” And while the starting average age of these future Major Leaguers is about 5 years old, simply watching a single game demonstrates that their enthusiasm extends from their cinched up socks to the top of their tiny ball caps. “They’re just learning right now,” said Dwayne Cooper, a coach on his daughter’s T-ball Rockies team. “They’re just out there having fun.” “I like hitting the ball and running the bases,” five-year-old Kendall Johnson said, a T-Ball Rockies player. With the help of Local business that sprung for sponsorship each team is identified by MLB Baseball Teams or National Pro Fastpitch (NPF), such as the Astros or Rangers, Riptide or Thunder on their little caps and jerseys. While the Majors have a fan appreciation day, the local Little Leaguers offered an “Opening Day” on March 29 for the benefit of their fans. Held at the BP&W Park, opening day enabled players to shine in front of, well, — all games are played for the home crowd. It’s not all homeruns and hot dogs for these players. Just as in the big leagues, Opening Day is the culmination of an intense training program designed to hone skills. After warm-ups, the basic mechanics of the game are performed, batting practice, base running, ball catching. “They’re doing well for their age,” T-Ball Astros coach Justin Holley said. After each practice, orange fingers and purple lips are in no short supply when they dig into the chosen favorite power-aid of hard-playing ball clubs everywhere — cheese puffs and fruit drinks. Just like the shenanigans of a Major League opening day photo session, one player stuffed a couple of cheese puffs in his mouth depicting orange fangs. His mother rolled her eyes, uttering something about “thankful” and “game isn’t televised.” After the extensive training, the Opening Day games began on March 29. A crowd numbering several hundred gathered, checking camera batteries, watching pre-game warm-ups, downing hot dogs. The games progressed, and so did the player’s confidence, ending the obvious spring training jokes and jitters. No more were players running to the pitcher’s mound after making a hit. A ball hit to the outfield was no longer cause for a group outing. To the players, this was serious ball. It was Sealy Little League Opening Day. There was no shot-calling, reminiscent of Ruth. But there was no need for it. Without even trying, each of their smiles and their excited shouts of laughter appeared to have scored home runs with the grandparents, coaches and parents who were out rooting for their home team, their special player. On this day, players who merely weeks ago were individual talents simply waiting for a go at the game, came together to form a team.
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