The potential for foul weather kept some of the crowd away, but otherwise the annual Arlington Little League opening-day ceremonies went as usual on Sunday (April 5).
The afternoon event began with the traditional parade of dozens of teams through a tunnel of players from varsity high-school baseball and girls softball teams in Arlington onto field No. 1 at Barcroft Park.
Some players from the Arlington Girls Softball Association were included in the ceremony and also paraded through the tunnel.
Once all were assembled on that diamond, the customary hula-hoop contest and three-wheel tricycle race around the bases were held. A handful of other players lobbed a dozen or so rolled up T-shirts into the crowd of Little Leaguers.
Outdoor amusements and inflatables for the Little Leaguers and other youth to play on were set up on a separate field.
Longtime league president Adam Balutis led the event. He organized the contests, recognized district and league administrators and welcomed politicians, including County Board member Matt de Ferranti and Del. Alfonso Lopez.
At the end, Balutis — also the head baseball coach at Wakefield High School — offered words of encouragement and praise to the Little Leaguers.
During the ceremony, chosen players also led the Little League pledge. The National Anthem was played and a number of coaches threw out ceremonial first pitches.
The Oriole Bird, the mascot of the Baltimore Orioles, had been scheduled to be on hand, but was canceled because of the threat of rain, which didn’t arrive until later in the day.
Following the opening-day ceremonies, various Little League games were played on the multiple fields at Barcroft Park.
