Players, fans, coaches await Saturday#039;s Opening Day
Published 12:00 am Tuesday, April 26, 2005
Opening Day for recreation league play is scheduled for Saturday morning at Snell Field.
Luverne Parks and Recreation Department Director Merrill Sport said everything is in place for this year's season. All fields have been kept well manicured and any maintenance has been concluded in preparation for this very day, said Sport.
All the teams have been drafted and many of the squads have been participating in practice games in order to chip away at the rust caused by a long layoff from regulation baseball and softball.
"We've usually had a practice game going on since the teams were announced," said Sport.
Opening ceremonies are scheduled to start Saturday morning at 8:45 p.m. Luverne Mayor Joe Rex Sport and the city's Parks and Recreation Board will be on hand for a special dedication of Cuz Johnson Field and Robert Snell Field. At 9:20 a.m., the first pitch will be thrown out for both softball and baseball.
There will then be an introduction of all sponsors, coaches and players. For boys, all 9-10 year olds will be introduced along the first base line. All 11-12 year olds will take their spots at the third base line.
That will immediately be followed by the introduction of the girls. Girls, 9-10, will stand along the first base line, while their 11-12 year old counterparts will take the third base line.
After the introduction of the players, said Sport, team pictures will be taken before the first game.
9-10 year old boys will play their first game at Daniel Field. 11-12 year olds will play at Flynn Field. Girls' softball games will be played at the newly dedicated Cuz Johnson and Robert Snell Fields.