Little League opens season with parade, ceremonies ... and hot dogs
See a 60-photo slide show of the parade here.
The Cosumnes River Little League began the 2008 season with something new -- a parade of uniformed players as colorful and spirited as the Fourth of July parade and every bit as all-American. Boys and girls tossed out candy to the crowd as they headed up Escuela Drive in trucks and trailers decorated for the occasion.
CRLL Vice-President Robert Book was the master of ceremony at the Stonehouse Park ball field. Book introduced the teams gathered on the field and presented an oversize check to the league's first scholarship winner, Kyle East. Kyle is a Pleasant Grove High School student with a 4.45 grade average and aspirations to become a scientist and college professor.
Local pilots made the customary season-opening fly-over.
After carrying the flag onto the field, Boy Scout Troop 633 led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Katriona Lucas sang the national anthem.
The first pitch was a dual honor. Patty Jenco tossed the first softball of the
season to Little League catcher Michelle Utterback.
Rod Hart, Rancho Murieta Association maintenance manager, threw the first baseball to catcher Colton Book.
After that, it was hot dogs and hamburgers for everybody, courtesy of the Kiwanis Club. Games were played throughout the day.
CRLL Opening Day
WOW!! What a wonderful day, and opening ceremonies. My kudos to all of the great volunteers that make this community such a fantastic place for our kids to grow up! I thought the parade, and jump houses were a great touch to the festivities. Again the people and clubs that step up and volunteer to make this such fun for everyone did indeed make this a special day for all. The fly by's are also a great excitement for the kids. We have so many wonderful people in our community who try very hard to make RM the beautiful place that it is.
I certainly noticed all the new trash cans out at Stonehouse today & was very glad to see them. In the past it was sometimes hard to find a trash can, and the were plenty today.
I was very sad to see that many failed to put their trash in the fancy new cans however. We have a great place to live, it was unfortunate that so many were having too much fun to remember to keep our community the beautiful place it is.
Parade Safety
As the parent of a 21 yr old son and 19 yr old daughter, the opening day parade brought back many fond memories of when my kids were that age. It was fun to see all the excited kids out front of the house as the vehicles staged for the parade. One concern.........as the parade started, many of the trucks had adults in the bed supervising the kids and having them down on their knees or sitting. Thank you. Others, had no supervision in the rear and in several vehicles the kids were standing up as the truck went down the street. Yes, they drove very slowly, however I've heard first hand accounts where a fall from the bed of a pickup truck proved tragic. Even at 5 MPH. The parade was great and I can't wait to see all the excited kids again next year, however it might be wise for the CRLL directors to advise all coaches/parents that kids in the rear of trucks will be kneeling or sitting with a parent present to supervise.
My two cents. The parade and the flyover were great. Just hate to see something mar a great day.