Put Me In, Coach: MCLL Holds Opening Day Ceremonies
“Well, beat the drum and hold the phone.
The sun came out today.
We’re born again; there’s new grass on the field.
Roundin’ third and headed for home
It’s a brown eyed handsome man.
Anyone can understand the way I feel.”
--John Fogerty, "Centerfield"
After a long winter, made longer by the frigid and blustery — often snowy– of last weekend which forced the postponement of ceremonies, Montgomery County Little League officially began the 2016 season with Opening Day Ceremonies at South Germantown Recreational Park on Friday evening.
With the merger of Bethesda Little League into Montgomery County Little League, it is the first time a true countywide Little League organization (with exception of the far eastern and extreme northern portions of the county.)
Players and parents from ages 4 to 15 gathered to usher in the new season. Players enjoyed pizza and bounced in moonbounces before teams and sponsors were introduced.
Local dignitaries, including Councilmember Craig Rice, were on hand to welcome the spring season. Taylor Donohue from Congressmen John Delaney’s (MD-6) office read proclamations from Rep. Delaney and Congressman Chris Van Hollen (MD-8) officially opening the Little League season.
Montgomery County Little League thanked their major sponsors including Giant, Harris Teeter and Dicks for their continued support of youth baseball.
In September 2015, Montgomery County Little League officials announced the Bethesda Little League would merge with their UpCounty partner Montgomery County Little League. The League is divided into a North and South Division, or an Upper County and Lower County if you will. Teams formed in the Bethesda area will play some inter-division games but will primarily be played on North Chevy Chase Local Park that they have used in the past. Teams from the UpCounty area will play at South Germantown Recreational Park as they have for the past few years.
MCLL will be fielding two Little League Tournament teams (in certain age divisions) based on an internal boundary line which runs along MD-28 and Piney Meeting House Road in Potomac.
While Opening Ceremonies were delayed, many teams have already played their first games, and the schedule will begin in earnest beginning today, Saturday, April 16.
Photos by Germantown Pulse.
