Grab your glove, it’s time to ‘play ball!’
For a day at the ballpark, island residents and visitors need not drive into Fort Myers, fight the crowds, jockey for a parking space or pay the high price of admission as all are invited to attend the opening day ceremony of this year’s spring Little League season. The event will take place at the Bobby Holloway Memorial Field at Phillips Park on Saturday, Feb. 21.
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., attendees will enjoy a day of baseball and a host of other activities. The opening ceremony will feature a performance by the Pine Island Eagle Choir at 10:45 a.m. Also at 10:45, members of American Legion Post 136 Honor Guard will present the colors for the pledge of allegiance, which will be followed by the introduction of this year’s players and coaches.
Teams from T-Ball through the Majors will take the field to signal the opening of the 2009 season. Then the games begin as two teams will face off for the first battle of the season. Major Leaguers, the Reds, will take on the Marlins for what is sure to be an exciting game.
Admission and parking are free of charge and there is ample bleacher seating available at the ballpark.
Between innings, fans can enjoy a ballpark meal prepared by J.D. Hollway and his staff from the Waterfront Restaurant in St. James City. Menu items include grouper or chicken finger baskets with fries and cheeseburgers or hot dogs with potato chips, which will be reasonably priced. All proceeds from the food sales will benefit the Pine Island Little League.
In addition to a rousing game played by the Majors, visitors to the park also can participate in a raffle to vie for a chance on some great prizes which also will help provide equipment for this year’s players.
“We are hoping islanders will turn out on opening day as well as throughout the Little League season to support these kids,” said Laurie Bartolotta. “It is important to encourage the kids and keep them interested in sports for many reasons including learning how to work together as a team and good sportsmanship, both of which are very important life skills and they can learn them here on the ballfield. Not only are the fans important to our players but the team sponsors as well and it is our hope they will turn out and join us to root for their teams.”
The team sponsors for the 2009 season include the PIne Island VFW Post #4353, Publix, Kiwanis Club of Greater PIne Island, the Bobby Holloway Jr. Memorial Fund, Women of the Moose Chapter 1843, The American Legion, Auxiliary and SAL Post 136, The Greater Pine Island Elks, Winn-Dixie, the Greater Pine Island Lions Club and the Greater Pine Island Water Association.
Many of the coaches and umpires are the moms and dads of the players and each of the teams has both coaches and team mothers to support them, however, one division is lacking such guidance.
“At this time our Senior team which is comprised of kids 14, 15 and 16 years olds remains without a coach,” said PILL board member Mark Patterson. “It is our hope that someone will come forward soon and take on the responsibility of coaching these older kids and, as usual, we are also in great need of more umpires as well.”
Those interested in either coaching or serving as an umpire are asked to call Patterson at 849-5511.
The Bobby Holloway Memorial Field is located behind the Matlacha-Pine Island Fire Station #1 at the island center.
For more information about Pine Island Little League, visit pineislandlittleleague.org.