Opening Day ceremonies were held Saturday at the Mountain View Park to begin the 2012 t-ball, softball and baseball season for more than 165 local youth.

In the top photo, the Albany Police Department, along with the Albany Fire Department, led the annual parade through town to showcase each team in this year’s league.

In the photo right, Albany Independent League President Turk Polston led the board players in the Little League Pledge, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of the National Anthem.

Although the opening day ceremonies are about a month later than normal, the league is hoping to extend the season to play longer into the summer.