Chilly temperatures and gray skies couldn’t dampen the spirits of the throngs of diminutive players, dads, moms, siblings and families that took over Bell Boulevard for the annual parade that marks opening day for the Bayside Little League.
Though early reports called for rain on Saturday, April 4, the weather actually improved for the 11 a.m. step-off for the traditional procession north through the heart of Bayside’s commercial district on Bell Boulevard, thence east on 35th Avenue, to the league’s tailored field of green in Crocheron Park.
Braving a 50 degree chill and 20 mph winds, the budding big leaguers, boys and girls alike, strode the route excitedly on their way to a ceremonial first pitch, and the not-incidental cupcakes and other goodies afterwards.
The brief opening ceremonies were punctuated by numerous first-pitch tosses; one of the most notable from one of the original Mets, Ed Kranepool, who adjourned to a warmer location to sign autographs afterwards.
Ceremonial pitches were also thrown by a squad of elected officials and political candidates, including Congressmember Anthony Weiner, State Senator and team sponsor Frank Padavan and a pair of candidates seeking to follow Councilmember Tony Avella to City Hall as well as the mound, Jerry Iannece and Debra Markell Kleinert.
League president Bob Reid confided he was proud of the turnout, the kids and the fact that he was the only one to throw an opening pitch strike.
Father Bob Whelan of nearby Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church made a respectable toss to the plate, then impishly commented that he was “the only one that doesn’t need your vote.”
With all the hoopla and hot chocolate done with, the season’s first game could get underway, between team FHM Mortgages and team VIPizza.
Who were the winners?
“All of them,” Reid said. “Just look at their faces.”
