By SYDNEE ANDERSON
The Progress
The Virgin Valley Little League (VVLL) kicked off its baseball and softball season with its annual opening ceremony on Monday, March 25 at the Old Mill Fields.
In this time-honored community tradition, team members, community members, and sponsors for the teams gathered together to celebrate the beginning of the upcoming season.
The teams and their coaches assembled in uniform around the infield area to participate in the ceremony.
Alana Davis kicked off the event with a vocal performance of the National Anthem.
Then VVLL President Jayson Andrus gave a brief speech recognizing the league’s sponsors and all the help the league and teams have had from the community.
Mesquite Mayor Al Litman started the season off by throwing out the first pitch.
Not only is the Little League fun for the kids, many community members enjoy it as well. VVLL coach Whitney Gleave said, “I love seeing all of the kids together honoring our flag to start off our season. Baseball is so much fun. It’s always been my favorite sport to play. I’m excited to help the kids have fun this year and just enjoy the game.”
Kyle Hughes, a parent of a little league player, said: “Even though the weather wasn’t perfect, for Mesquite, it was a great turnout. Everyone really came together.”
Overall, 228 youngsters were registered to play across the five divisions. These games are played at Old Mill, Hunter, and Pioneer ballfields. Softball is played every Monday and Wednesday while baseball is played Tuesdays and Thursdays.
“We could not pull this off without so many parents and community members volunteering as coaches, umpires and board members,” Andrus said after the event. “Our community sponsors make it possible to keep registration prices low so more kids can play.”
Andrus expressed gratitude for the community support in making the opening ceremony a top notch event. “Thank you to the Mesquite Veterans Center for providing the honor guard and for Alana Davis giving a perfect rendition of our national anthem,” he said. “A special thanks to the City of Mesquite Athletics and Leisure Services for keeping our fields in pristine condition and making sure our athletes have good equipment. R.A.I.S.E. Mesquite has done a great job in running the concessions stand and gives a portion of their proceeds back to the Virgin Valley Little League.”
