Veida Bowerman of the 10-and-under green team throws out the ceremonial first pitch Saturday, April 30, 2022 during Opening Day Ceremonies at Duck Lake Pines in Highland. (Special for The Spinal Column Newsweekly/CHRIS WALL)
You could feel the excitement building as players and coaches from the Huron Valley Youth Baseball & Softball League (HVYBSL) arrived Saturday, April 30 in Duck Lake Pines for the annual Opening Day celebration!
Bryce Stimbert of the 4-and-under blue team, along with Veida Bowerman of the 10-and-under green team and Bradley Mitchelle of the Falcons 12-and-under teams took turns throwing the “ceremonial first pitch” to the delight of the large crowd.
The AMVETS Post 2006 Color Guard began the opening day celebration by marching in the middle of the diamond for the national anthem. Members of Color Guard include John Robinson, Gerry Mantela, Mike Willihnganz, Dave Moore, Dave Sisson, Larry Shaver, Joe Dudak, and Joe Salvia.
HVYBSL Board Members Michelle Witt and Carson Stauss greeted the large crowd at Duck Lake Pines as the sun rose.
“It’s always exciting to see another season start and see the kids playing baseball,” Stauss said. “I am very encouraged by the overall increase in player numbers as well as the fact that parents have come forward and brought new ideas and experiences to the league and the board.”
The AMVETS Post 2006 Color Guard begins the Opening Day Ceremony with the National Anthem on Saturday, April 30, 2022 at Duck Lake Pines in Highland (Special to The Spinal Column Newsweekly/ CHRIS WALL)
“While we still face challenges, we tend to share the same beliefs that youth sports offer many lifelong benefits and that having children play locally with friends and peers class goes a long way to strengthening community and families.”
“The league as a whole has grown 40% with the addition of adult co-ed softball,” Witt said. “Fewer kids in general are playing sports and more are going to travel/tournament teams.”
“We hope to return to softball and will continue to offer it hoping to have enough players as the league continues to grow in total numbers.”
This celebration has been a tradition in Huron Valley for over 75 years and includes 250 players and 50 volunteer coaches from 19 in-house teams. Additionally, there are two travel teams and four adult mixed softball teams.
Even though the temperatures were in the 40s, parents, grandparents and sponsors were thrilled to see the presentation from all the teams and coaches.
For the first time this season, all teams will be mixed as no women’s softball team will play. In addition, four co-ed adult softball slo-pitch teams kick off their inaugural season.
All games will be played on the grounds of Duck Lake Pines with the support of Highland Township and at the Carrie Janowski Memorial Athletic Park in Milford with the support of the Village of Milford and Milford Township.
The HVYSBL Board of Directors thanks the 2022 sponsors for their support. 2022 Season Sponsors include Arby’s, Black Rock Bar & Grill, Burger Joint, Colasanti’s/Snooks, Dairy Queen, Marty Feldman, Heyn Construction, Hungry Howies, Hutson John Deere, Huron Valley State Bank, Jen’s Ugly Pies, Little Caesar’s, Norm’s Ice Cream, Pine Ridge Market, Ratliff Rental, Rock Bottom Stone Supply, Schwartz’s Deli, Springfield Urgent Care, Village Dental, Dr. Wax Orthodontics, and Urgent Care of Milford.
