Play ball!
Brooklyn’s Little League season officially kicked off with Park Slope’s annual Opening Day Parade last Saturday, as more than 2,000 tiny sluggers geared up in full uniform and marched along Seventh Avenue into Prospect Park.
The pinstriped parade has been a city baseball and softball tradition — and a favorite among youthful ballplayers — since at least 1981, according to park officials.
“The young kids are always quite excited,” said coach Richard Lewis of the St. Francis Xavier Huskies team. “The older kids pretend not to be excited, but they are, and they enjoy hanging out with their friends, wearing their new gear and walking in the middle of the street.”
Borough President Markowitz was on hand to throw the ceremonial first pitch, and Councilman Brad Lander (D–Park Slope) said the march is the start of what can be an enjoyable and important rite of passage for bat-toting youngsters.
“Spring is here with the promise of great hitting, pitching, fielding, and most of all teamwork,” said Lander.
Reach reporter Natalie Musumeci at nmusumeci@cnglocal.com or by calling (718) 260-4505. Follow her at twitter.com/souleddout.
