Weprin, Braunstein To Help Open Little League Season

Batter up sports fans; little league season is about to begin.

Glen Oaks Little League announced it will host its 59th Anniversary opening day ceremony this Saturday, April 2, at 9:30 a.m. 

"It's going to be a great time … with hotdogs, music and all sorts of other goodies for the kids," said league president Charles Russo. 

According to Russo, opening day will include a parade for the players from the Glen Oaks Oval — at the Intersection of 260th Street and 74th Avenue — to Field #1, located right next to the basketball courts on the Oval’s east side.

Over 350 boys and girls are expected to march.

League officials also anticipate that a number of public officials will attend Saturday's opener including Council Member Mark Weprin and Assemblyman Ed Braunstein.

"Glen Oaks Little League's opening ceremonies are the official beginning of spring," Weprin said on Friday. "There's something very renewing about having baseball season start … there's a lot of hope in the air."

In addition to throwing out the first pitch to one of the games, Weprin also reported that he looks forward to surprising one lucky Little Leaguer with a very special prize — to be revealed tomorrow.

Glen Oaks Little League was established in 1952 and today sponsors t-ball, softball, hardball programs and a new 'Challenger Division' established to bring the joy of playing baseball to children with special needs.

"We're very excited to announce that we've started a new league this year designed specifically for children ages 4 to 21 who are mentally and/or physically challenged," Russo said.

This new league, which currently has 30 children registered to play is said to have come about after many of the parents of children now in the Challenger League expressed frustration with the neurotypical Little League experience.

"For the most part their children were unable to truly participate in those 'regular' leagues. But our Challenger Division will give these children approximately one hour of game-time playing by Tee Ball rules," he said. 

Excited about Saturday's opener Russo said he couldn’t wait for the fun to officially begin.

Players are instructed to assemble at the Oval by 9:30 a.m. and anyone interested in more information about the Challenger Division should contact division vice president Dennis Noonan at GOBBClinic@aol.com.