As Kevin Costner, playing Ray Kinsella in the classic baseball movie, Field of Dreams, heard while standing in a corn field with his wife Annie "Build it and they will come," the fine folks from the town of Lee keep coming back time and time again to their "Field of Dreams" at Lee Town Park. Come they did, in big numbers, on a beautiful spring day, in May, to the opening of another Little League season.
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They came in cars, they came in vans, they rode into the park on bikes, some even walked, imagine that, to find a spot that would allow them to show their civic pride and get a chance to remember what community is all about.
After all, where else can you bump into neighbors you haven't seen in months? Where else can you bump in to " little Johnny", your neighborhood paperboy, who doesn't look so little, as he trots out on to the freshly mowed green grass that adorns the ball diamonds that await the new crop of Lee Little Leaguers who will be giving there all this baseball season?
(Players thinking about going yard on opening day in Lee.)
Say what you will, but there is nothing more American than green grass, white chalk lines, the town's Honor Guard carrying the Nation's colors and a multicolored parade of boys and girls adorned in freshly printed sponsor uniform shirts as they march from the outfield to start a new season.
They circle the bases until every smiling face is standing next to another smiling face on a day when there are no winners or losers.
Just smiling faces waiting to see what the new season will bring.
Parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, or just friendly neighbors, lined the main field at Lee Town Park. Some even sat on the hillside to take in the panoramic view of red, white and blue uniforms.
A buzz of anticipation filled the air as players and well wishers awaited the opening ceremonies.
(Lee League President Scott Carpenter addresses opening day crowd.)
As the clock struck high noon, Scott Carpenter, the league's president, proudly strode to the middle of the diamond, between home plate and the pitchers mound and got things underway.
The crowd was treated to a stirring rendition of our National Anthem by 10 year old crooner, Jasmine Humphrey, who rocked the house.
Carpenter was sure to thank the sponsors, who support the 21 team league, and the many volunteers who donate their time to make the league continue to grow and thrive.
Carpenter even took the time to introduce each coach and each member of every team's roster from Tee Ball to Little League Major as the excitement grew before the teams spread out to surrounding fields to play ball.
( Jasmine Humphrey sings the National Anthem.)
Longtime league official and current Vice President, Patrick Hetherington, was honored by being asked to throw out the season's first pitch, a pitch he offered up to his son Collin.
One of the highlights of the ceremony was the reading of the Little League Pledge, that all players and coaches were asked to recite before they headed off to play.
The pledge goes like this, " trust in God. I love my country and will respect its laws. I will play fair and strive to win. But win or lose, I will always do my best." It was then time to play ball!
Games were scheduled to run all day long. The league has the following divisions: Tee Ball, Minor A & B, and Majors. The season wraps up at the end of June.
One player all pumped up to play ball was #12 in red, a member of Burgdorf Chiropractic, Patrick J. Kelly of Rome.
Pat looked forward to kicking off the season with a win and was excited to be a part of a team and promised to live up to the Little League pledge and have some fun while trying to be a good teammate.
(Patrick J. Kelly and his dad Brian share a smile on opening day.)
MHTS talked to Kelly about what it was like to be part of opening day.
Patrick: "It was fun being out there with my coach and team and it feels good to be getting ready to play baseball again.
MHTS: Pat what position do you play?
Patrick: I'm going to play some shortstop and catcher and will move around to do what I can to help out my team."
MHTS then asked Pat what the favorite part of the opening day ceremony was, "Me being out there with my team and hearing my name being read and being able to step forward and tip my hat to the crowd."
MHTS then asked Pat who his favorite major leaguer was. Much to my dismay he said, "Derek Jeter and my favorite team is the New York Yankees."
Good luck to Pat and all the Lee Little Leaguers!
(How about that for team unity?)
We also had time to catchup with League President Scott Carpenter to get his thoughts on the 2010 season.
Carpenter was thrilled with the turnout and with the way the ceremony went and also was thrilled by the strong numbers of players who have returned to play in Lee.
Carpenter is proud that his league continues to grow and thrive and loves the fact that the entire community continues to support the players and coaches.
The President also took time to thank those who help keep the complex in great shape. Carpenter was proud to point out that other league's come to Lee to use the six fields and facility.
Carpenter, like many others involved in youth sports, is happy to give of his time and has been involved with the league for nine years.
Scott also has double duty as League President and coach of his son Zachary's and daughter Makenzie's Minor-A team.
Good luck to all the coaches, players and league officials in Lee and here's to a great season from MHTS!
(That's right!! I'm bad...I'm going 4 for 4 today!)
