Play Ball!

This past Saturday morning throngs of girls dressed in navy blue, yellow and gray uniforms converged upon New Cumberland Borough Park.  This was not a normal day at the park, it was the inaugural opening day for the Cedar Cliff Youth Softball Association.  You may be saying, "What's the big deal? They've been playing softball down there for years."  This season is a big deal for softball on the West Shore.  Softball has been played on the West Shore for decades under the names of Highland and New Cumberland Softball Associations.  This year those two organizations merged to become one under the name Cedar Cliff Youth Softball Association.

Players wait for the photographs at Veteran's Pavilion.

Players started arriving as early as 7:30 am to have their individual and team photos taken by Fine Art Photo.  Girls lined up near the Veteran's Pavilion and took their turns posing with bats and standing proudly with their teams.  Those photographs taken on Saturday will turn into cherished mementos as the years pass.

Teams lined up for the Opening Ceremonies.

Soon, it was time for the official "Opening Ceremonies."   As word spread, girls ranging in age from 5-18, gathered with their respective teams and made their ways through the jammed parking lot and over to the lower ball fields.  There the girls lined up in the outfield and prepared for the festivities.  Teams proudly displayed home made posters decorated with team and player names.  Jen Shade, from 105.7 The X morning show, kicked off the ceremony with words of welcome and encouragement for the crowd. 

Jen Shade from the X 105.7, and Rascal, the Harrisburg Senators mascot, helped with the Opening Ceremonies.

This day was all about the girls participating in this 2012 season.   Each team paraded in from the outfield to the infield.  Teams were introduced and cheered on by the hundreds of spectators.  Every girl was given the opportunity to announce their name into the microphone.  'Rascal,' the Harrisburg Senator's mascot, was even on hand to give the girls high fives as they arrived on the infield.

Recognition of Volunteers.

Once all 20 teams were introduced, Cedar Cliff High School JROTC did the Presentations of the Colors, and a softball player sang The National Anthem.  Also, on the program was the recognition of 3 volunteers who have kept Softball going in New Cumberland and Highland park for the last several years.  As with all ball games, there has to be a first pitch.  A tradition brought in from the Highland league had   the oldest player in the league toss out the first pitch to the youngest player. 

Scoring a run in an instructional game.

Games started promptly at 11:00 am and ran all day until the rain chased the girls out around 5:00 pm.  My younger daughter's instructional game started at 1:00 pm.  The weather was unbelievably sunny and warm.  The little girls did really well and their enthusiasm for the game cannot be matched.

At bat at the U10 slow pitch level.

My older daughter's Under 10 slow pitch game started at 3:00 pm in the bright sunshine.  Within an hour, gray clouds started rolling in over the horizon.  Everyone kept a careful watch to the darkness in the north western sky.  The cool breeze and the persistent winds gave warning that it was only a matter of time before the girls would have to stop.  At one point, lightning was spotted and the players, coaches and spectators retreated to the nearest pavilion.  After waiting several minutes, coaches decided it was all clear and everyone headed back to the field.  We all knew it wouldn't be too long before the rains would arrive.  And sure enough, they did.  As coaches called the players off the field, parents rushed to help them gather their equipment.  Then everyone made a mad dash for their cars

The rain arrived to put an end to a great day of Softball.

Despite the wet ending, the day showed much promise.  The time and dedication of the players, coaches, and volunteers made sure that this league got off to a good start and will go on for years as the Cedar Cliff Youth Softball Association.  My personal thanks to all of you who made the day happen for not only for my two girls, but for all of girls who are participating in this year's season and the many seasons to come.