Sequim Little Leaguers are ready for another season of pop flies, double plays and trips around the bases. Opening day kicks off at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 14, at the Dr. James Standard Park, 124 W. Silberhorn Road.
This year, 22 teams participate in the league including co-ed T-ball and machine pitch teams, and boys and girls minors and majors teams, and a girls’ fastpitch team.
Along with the first games of the season, a lot of activities and special events are planned for the opening.
Janet Gray, Little League community outreach coordinator, said at the opening ceremony fastpitch player Michaela Green will sing the National Anthem followed by the Little League pledge and a player parade.
Stephen Rosales will emcee the event and Timber the Port Angeles Lefties’ mascot will throw out the first pitch.
Organizers will celebrate the Sequim-East Jefferson County softball all-stars who won the Washington State Little League Junior Division state championship last July and went 2-2 in the national tournament. The team will be at a tournament for opening day though.
Gray said Molina Healthcare sponsors the day’s activities with a free hot dog lunch for all players and Applebee’s hosts a Dine to Donate all day on Saturday with a portion of sales supporting Sequim Little League.
A raffle will be offered for tickets to a Seattle Mariners’ game and players can participate in a pitching contest to see how fast they can throw for a chance at prizes. A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter will tentatively fly over the opening as well.
Visitors to the park are encouraged to carpool and drive slowly. Pets are not allowed in the park either.
Community members looking to support the league can email sequimwalittleleague@gmail.com to help with umpiring and/or lawn maintenance, i.e. weed eating.
For more about Sequin Little League, see www.sequimlittleleague.com.
Fastpitch players ages 13 and up run on to the field during the 2017 Sequim Little League opening day ceremony.
This year, Sequim Little League hosts 22 teams including co-ed T-ball, co-ed machine pitch, minors and majors for girls and boys, and fastpitch for girls 13 and up. Sequim Gazette file photos by Michael Dashiell
