Dressed in crisp green and white uniforms, a cheery crop of little leaguers from St. Columba Youth Council stepped off the local season of the national pastime with a Mass and a march to Marine Park.
The budding A-Rods received a benediction during a noontime service at St. Columba Church, Kimball Street and Avenue U. Afterwards, they put their best foot forward for a jubilant jaunt through the nabe to their “field of dreams” at East 31st Street and Avenue S, for pomp-filled opening day ceremonies, which featured a color guard from Fort Hamilton Army Garrison and the first pitch of the season by Monsignor Francis Hughes.
Accompanying them along the way was a brass band from nearby Intermediate School 278 on Stuart Street at Fillmore Avenue.
“We gonna win and play hard,” promised excited Little Leaguer Dimitri Valere.
