Little League Opening Ceremony

Sunday was the rescheduled (rained out) day for the

High Desert Little League Opening Ceremony

We hauled back from Vegas that morning in order to get there!

I had been forewarned that there would be a huge turnout.

They were right!

The teams all lined up for the parade on the football practice field of the High School.

I got a quick pic of Anden before we headed to the bleachers

and awaited the beginning of the festivities!
He's so adorable in his "real" baseball gear! :)

One by one they called each team name as they proudly walked past the cheering grandstand

while they waved their hats at us!

Then they marched right onto the center of the field and waited for all the teams to arrive.

 I couldn't believe how many teams there were for both baseball and softball!

I had to take 2 pictures to get the entire field of teams!

I was humbled by what happened next.

The cute little scouts brought the flags in

and the entire crowd stood to say the Pledge of Allegiance together.

I honestly don't even remember the last time that a public crowd

stood up and covered their hearts to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

We were taken back by this, sadly, rare display of public patriotism.

Then a young girl sang the National Anthem.

She struggled to calm her nerves and hit the notes.

Halfway through she paused grasping for the next lyrics.

My heart stopped for her.

She stood there in silence.

 Gripping the microphone.

Staring at the ground.

Thousands of eyes all on her.

I found myself mouthing the next line as in hopes I could somehow rescue her.

Then a mere second later the words and melody continued

but not from her mouth

rather from behind her.

The little players and coaches had picked her up

during what was assuredly a horrifying moment for her

and continued singing the rest of the National Anthem.

Then a half of second after that the entire grandstand started singing too.

A few moments later

the young girl looked up, regained her strength and began singing along with everyone else.

I couldn't hold back my tears.

I love this town.

After the National Anthem,

they had the kids keep standing and recite the Little League Pledge.

I trust in God

I love my country

And will respect its laws

I will play fair

And strive to win

But win or lose

I will always do my best

I had never heard this Pledge before and was again humbled by

the patriotism and presence of God that was proudly being stated.

Ryan and I just looked at each other in amazement.

Sadly we apparently have become so used to the norm that "God"

and "Patriotism" are almost forbidden in public anymore.

Finally they had a non-denominational patron say a prayer  to start the season.

Needless to say,

I was a proud little American right then seeing that it hasn't been completely abolished everywhere.

Next the HDLL president spoke for awhile thanking the unprecedented sponsors

and support they've received this year.

Then he went on to explain how he was approached by the Arizona Diamondbacks

several months ago to partner with us and provide all the uniforms for the kids.

He was in awe and humbled by the involvement that such a large

professional sports organization would offer and how committed they were to Little League.

He was so excited to introduce several corporate staff of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

He called up one in particular to speak.

Debbie Castaldo, VP of Corporate & Community Impact.

As this petite little blonde woman took the microphone, her enthusiasm & emotion spilled over.

She immediately made her disclaimer that this was a very emotional day for her

as she has been working for 2 years to earn enough funds to

be able to partner with the Little League Organization.

She told us how she lives nearby in Peoria and absolutely loves Anthem.

She said she specifically picked 

High Desert Little League

as her first endeavor because "you guys do it right from top to bottom!"

Then she went on to explain that they had raised so much money during the

Dbacks 50/50 game day raffles over the last couple seasons that they were able

to outfit 33 little league organizations in full Dbacks uniforms.

Due to the money our league saved,

they were able to invest what they would have spent on uniforms on more equipment, etc.

She ended by welcoming all the kids to the Dbacks team!

They were beaming!

As she finished up Baxter (Dbacks mascot) came running out!

As a side note, I did my own research before I enrolled Anden in Little League.

I immediately heard by all that HDLL is one of the best leagues in AZ

with the largest amount of participants, sponsors, equipment, fields, etc.

I feel very relieved and blessed that we live within the boundaries to 

be part of this awesome league!

Then she turned and took pictures of the kids.

Ironic seeing as though they probably thought SHE was the celebrity

because of her affiliation with a professional sports team.

Maybe I'm just emotional because I'm pregnant

but I was brought to tears multiple times by this entire event.

I've always known baseball is "America's Past Time".

I grew up with a Father that honors Baseball as his second religion.

He told me countless stories of all of his days and nights on the baseball fields

or listening to games on his little AM radio late at night huddled under his bed sheets.

I also have brothers that played Little League and I was drug to countless

games, tournaments, All-Star events each and every summer.

My Dad taught me respect for the game.

But I never truly understood the impact it has on people.

I remember many years ago taking my Dad to his first MLB game.

The Arizona Diamondbacks.

I was in shock that this man that worships Baseball and knows

every measly fact about the game

hadn't been to a professional game before.

But he's always lived in rural America where it's not readily accessible.

I've been to countless games and it's just another fun sporting event for me.

But that day I learned it was much more than that.

As we walked past the ticket gates and into the foyer of the park,

there displayed in huge glass cases is the memorabilia from the

2001 World Series

when the puny Arizona Diamondbacks overcame the mighty New York Yankees

after our nation had been brought to a crumbling halt from the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Now I've walked past this display countless times and briefly scanned it each time.

But not this day.

As we approached the glass case,

my Dad froze

while crowds parted and hustled right past him.

He slowly brought himself to walk up closer to it.

I was confused and just observed him.

There he stood in silence while tears streamed down his face.

He reached up and touched the glass

mere inches away from a real World Series trophy.

He glanced over to me with those big blue eyes full of tears

and gave me the hugest smile ever.

My eyes welled with tears too.

Finally I was able to give him a gift that he didn't already have.

A gift that meant more to him than anything tangible.

I remember him wiping away his tears a bit embarrassed

and feeling the need to justify his emotion to me.

"I've loved baseball since I was 5 years old. I'm finally here."

That day I learned more about the meaning of "baseball" and how it shapes lives.

Well I've played co-ed rec softball every week for 15 years.

I thoroughly enjoy the sport.

But I didn't really start to fully understand it all until today at this measly

Little League Opening Ceremony.

Maybe it took me being a mother to see how it's already changed my son in 6 short weeks.

Or maybe it's how I sit back and watch a community pull together over a children's "sport".

Or maybe it's how America really does still exist in this Past Time.

But either way,

I'm now finally grasping the real meaning of Baseball.

Play Ball!