Play ball!
Saturday, April 6 marked the return of little league baseball in Bay Ridge, with the 68th Precinct Youth Council‘s opening day.
“It’s my favorite day of the year, opening day,” said Youth Council President Tommy Henderson. “The 68th Precinct Youth Council is ready to play with our future major leaguers.”
Despite some gloomy weather, players, parents, coaches and local elected officials kicked off another season of little league baseball in Bay Ridge with a traditional parade along Shore Road to the Frank Schnurr ballfield on 83rd Street, led by local pipe and drum bands such as NYPD Pipes and Drums and the Clann Eireann Pipe Band.
“This is really what it’s all about,” said area Council Member Justin Brannan, adding that events like the 68th Precinct Youth Council’s opening day are emblematic of “the small town in the big city that Bay Ridge is.”
“Bay Ridge is home to some of the best leagues in the neighborhood,” he said. “I’m so excited to be here today. Let’s have a great season.”
State Sen. Andrew Gounardes attended opening day with his son, James, who he called his “little future-first-baseman.”
“I’m a proud alum of this program,” he said. “I’m really excited to see this tradition keep going and I know that all the kids here are going to have a great season this year.”
Laurie Windsor, there on behalf of Congress Member Nicole Malliotakis, was optimistic about the season to come.
“Hopefully it’ll be a great season,” she said. “I know it will be.”
The 68th Precinct Youth Council has offered soccer and baseball programs since 1955.
