The Tigers team "roared" for the photo during the parade. —Dena Porter
The Vineyard softball team had fun with Sharky the mascot (Marin Gillis). —Dena Porter
The Vineyard softball team had fun with Sharky the mascot (Marin Gillis). —Dena Porter
Little League umpire Bill Vrooman is looking forward to a season of games. —Dena Porter
Bastille Lucier and his son Isaac and coach Rivers with his daughter Elizabeth enjoy time together before the parade. —Dena Porter
The Tigers in the parade. —Dena Porter
Fire trucks and other emergency service vehicles paraded as well and rang their sirens. —Dena Porter
The Tigers team “roared” for the photo during the parade. —Dena Porter
Families came out in support of their little ones playing ball. —Dena Porter
the Little League opening day parade was festive and the weather was glorious. —Dena Porter
Aaron Brown paraded with his daughter Juniper on his shoulders. —Dena Porter
Announcer Drew Kelly spoke to the crowd about the opening season, and thanked sponsors and families for their support. —Dena Porter
Approximatley 20 teams are scheduled to play this year. —Dena Porter
The Vineyard girl’s softball team came out in full force on opening day! —Dena Porter
The Vineyard Vipers came ready to play. Asssistant Coach Mitch Pennington was in the rear. —Dena Porter
Six year old Nicholas Rivers waited patiently for the opening ceremony to begin. —Dena Porter
Grasshopper team player Nicholas Rivers and his mom Melissa enjoyed opening day together. —Dena Porter
Catchers Miles Brown (left), Latham Kurth, Pablo Begle, and Henry Scully paused before catching pitches to open the season. —Dena Porter
Pitchers Zeke Vought (left), James Rebello and Matthew Sharkovitz tossed out the first balls of the season. —Dena Porter
Pitchers, catchers and families stood at home plate as the national anthem was sung. —Dena Porter
Crowd paused to salute the American flag while the national anthem was sung. —Dena Porter
Teams and their families paused to salute the American flag while the national anthem was sung. —Dena Porter
The Diamondback team was ready for play! —Dena Porter
It’s an annual right of spring and perhaps more American than apple pie: opening day for Little League — and it was a little special on the Island this year with the parade coming back for the first time since the pandemic.
On Saturday morning over 230 Martha’s Vineyard Little Leaguers, past and present, triumphantly paraded down Circuit Ave., in celebration of the MVLL’s 45th ever Opening Day.
Beginning at the Oak Bluffs Police Department, all 21 Little League teams were proudly escorted by antique Oak Bluffs fire trucks and Sharky of the Martha’s Vineyard Sharks to Veira Park, culminating in team introductions and ceremonial first pitches.
“For some of the Little Leaguers, it was their first ever Parade — there was so much energy and excitement,” MVLL secretary and Pirates coach Moira Silva said. Silva has been the secretary for the league the past two years. “It’s so great to celebrate spring time, the community, and generations of MVLL history.”
DJ David Murphy helped set the tone for some terrific Opening Day baseball and softball before game time.
Among the many highlights from the first week’s games was the Athletics’ 10-8 victory over the Cubs in which they came back from six runs down; and the Pirates’ Liam Merry and Cruz Cancellare called their own trick play to escape a jam versus the Cardinals.
“With the warm weather coming, it means baseball is in the air, better known as America’s favorite pastime,” Mets coach and MVLL board member Marc Doyle said. “There is no better feeling than seeing everyone progress through the season. Play ball!”
