Medford Little League Opens 1st Season with Parade

– Stephen Braverman, Medford Little League

Saturday April 27th, the City of Medford celebrated opening day for Medford Little League in style with a Parade, opening ceremonies and festivities. 60 degrees and sunny was a welcome change from the soggy weather from the previous Saturday which caused the festivities to be postponed.

Hundreds of Little League players, in full uniforms carrying American flags, marched from Medford City Hall down Riverside Avenue towards Hormel Stadium and into the outfield of Drane field for the opening ceremonies.

The Little Leaguers were lead by Grand Marshalls, Joe Grande, Bill Carr and George White, Mayor Michael McGlynn, the MHS marching band, and were escorted by Police, Firemen, the MHS baseball team, siblings, parents, grandparents, all while the Mondello band played ‘Take Me Out To The Ballgame’.

The Little League teams lined up in the outfield of Drane Field for the opening ceremonies which started on a somber yet patriotic note with a moment of silence and the National Anthem played by the MHS marching band.

Medford native DJ Hank Morse hosted ceremonies from home plate which including readings of the Little League Player’s Pledge by David and Christian Langer and the Parent’s Pledge read by coach Mike Powers.

In early 2013, the three existing Little Leagues of Medford finalized a merger into Medford Little League. As members and long time supporters of the former leagues, Joe Grande from North Medford, Bill Carr from West Medford and George White from Wellington-Glenwood were the Grand Marshalls of the parade and threw out the ceremonial first pitches.

After a few opening remarks, Mayor McGlynn kicked off the season and the rest of the afternoon with the two words: “Play Ball”!

Festivities continued throughout the afternoon with food, bounce houses, magic show, baseball games and other activities for the community. In addition, the Malden/Medford K-9 unit captivated the attentions of hundreds of kids by giving a demonstration in the outfield.

In addition, players, coaches, guests and families signed a ‘Communities United in the Wish For Peace’ banner from Medford Little League to Savin Hill Little League and the Richard Family in honor of Martin Richard, the 8 year old SHLL Ranger killed in the Boston Marathon bombings two weeks ago.

Community, family, fun, patriotism, fresh food, hot dogs, burgers, baseball!

Happy kids, Happy families!

“Play Ball!”

More photos of Opening Day are available on www.MedfordLittleLeague.com.