(Seguin) — America’s national pastime has finally returned to Seguin. Local kids on Saturday swung for the fences during Seguin Little League’s opening day at Max Starcke Park.
Opening day festivities were welcomed after COVID-19 forced the cancellation of the entire 2020 spring season.
Taking the mound to help throw out the first pitches this past Saturday morning were Seguin Mayor Donna Dodgen and Seguin Police Chief Terry Nichols.
Mayor Dodgen says being a part of the festivities was rewarding especially after the city was forced to close the ball fields for much of this past year.
“It’s just really exciting and I’m really glad. The chief and I were just talking about it’s getting back to normal and that is so important, and I think more kids will come. It will happen and families are gathering and are excited about doing things together and this is just an exciting day. It’s just a wonderful time for Seguin and an exciting day and I am really honored to be a part (of it),” said Dodgen.
Seguin Mayor Donna Dodgen and Seguin Police Chief Terry Nichols pitch a pair of strikes as part of this year’s Seguin Little League opening ceremonies.
Chief Nichols says it’s great to finally see the players come out and the community come back together.
“It’s exciting. I echo what the mayor says. It’s very exciting. Little League and baseball and softball are very near and dear to my heart who know having my own kids grow up playing this sport. So, it’s fun to come out here today. I mentioned to the mayor, it’s so nice to see things getting back to normal and I think this is that first step, getting back, getting kids out and families out and baseball and softball, I love it. I’m glad to see it come back to Seguin,” said Nichols.
Jason Harrison, the president of the Seguin LL Board of Directors, was especially excited to finally begin a season – a season that remained questionable.
“It means everything. This is why we do it, the Seguin Little Board. We do it for the kids. We do it to be out here with the kids, with the parents, everybody. I really don’t have the words to describe it but it’s an awesome feeling. It’s great to be out here,” said Harrison.
Although the 2021 spring season remained a gamble, Harrison says he is pleased with the number of baseball and softball teams that appear on this year’s schedule.
“It’s a lot compared to what we were looking at a few months ago, when our numbers were real low. It’s not what we’ve had in the past. We’re 650 plus, close to 700 kids. This year, we’re almost at 600. So, 52 teams considering what we went through this past year, I think it’s a great number,” said Harrison.
Now, although games are back in action, Harrison says all safety guidelines will continue to be enforced both on and off the field.
“We still want to practice our social distancing. We still want to be respectful of others. We have roped off the bleachers so please don’t sit on the ones that have red tape on it. You can bring chairs. You can sit on the fence lines. Just try to space out the best you can that way we can have a worry-free season,” said Harrison.
Both baseball and softball games are free and open to the public. The game schedule which includes both weeknights and weekends runs through May 15.