by Alan B. Gibson

Play ball – a sure sign of spring

Despite predictions of snow being a possibility last Saturday night, one of the certain signs that we’re headed for warmer days arrived in Clinton County last weekend – actually on the same day of that frigid weather forecast.

Youngsters, parents and community leaders gathered at Mountain View Recreation Park for the first official start of this 2011 Little League season – the traditional opening day ceremonies.

Long-time baseball and softball figure J.D. Craig was chosen to take the mound and throw the ceremonial “first pitches” to get both the Little League baseball and softball seasons underway.

I’ve said in this space many times that if you lined up all of the volunteer groups in a row, you’d be hard pressed to find an organization any better than the Little League organization.

It’s been a lot of years since I was directly involved, but I can tell you it was one of the most rewarding things I’ve been involved with. Put all of the fussing, bickering and whining aside from the parents – and there is always plenty – working with those younger kids and giving them a strong foundation of how team sports is supposed to work, is certainly one of the biggest smile producing experiences one can have.

Whether it’s T-ball action – likely the most rewarding, all the way up to Little League play, these experiences are ones that will stay with the youngsters for the rest of their lives.

Get out and take in some action this spring – the intensity and level of fun being enjoyed on the fields just doesn’t get any better.

And while I’m at it – thanks again to all of the Little League volunteers this season – it’s an often challenging and thankless job, but certainly a rewarding one.

Play ball !