Play Ball: Little League Openers Are A Home Run

The Glen Oaks Little League held its 59th Annual opening ceremony  welcoming players and their families to another season on the "sand lot."

Among the guests who attended Saturday's event were State Senator Tony Avella, Council Member Mark Weprin and Assemblyman Edward Braunstein.

"Today is a little slice of Americana ... I'm glad to be a part of it," Avella said.

Braunstein, himself a Bayside Little League Alumni was particularly excited about the league's new Challenger Division, created for children with developmental disabilities.

"I commend Glen Oaks Little League and president Charlie Russo for working to make sure that everyone has an opportunity to play ball this spring," he said.

For everyone there on Saturday, it was all about having fun and playing ball.

"I've been coming to this for a long time now ... it's great to see these kids so excited," said Councilman Weprin, who is sponsoring a team this year called the "Weprin Wildcats.

After a brief parade around the streets of Glen Oaks Village, which began and ended at the Glen Oaks Oval, players along side their family got to chow down on hot dogs before the kids headed onto the field.

"My son Melvin has been looking forward to this all year," said Indiana Delarosa as she watched her son step up to the tee and smack one down the third base line.

Glen Oaks Little League has over 350 players, on 16 different teams that play in the Tee-Ball, Softball, Harball, or Challenger Division.

The season ends June 30.

Anyone interested in more information on the Glen Oaks Little League should log on to www.glenoakslittleleague.com