New Rochelle Little League held it’s Opening Day Ceremony at Tocci Field in New Rochelle this morning starting with a ceremony to honor Marine Cpl. John Louis Olsen, a former New Rochelle Little Leaguer who was Killed in Action in 1967. A Marine Color Guard, led by New Rochelle resident Peter Parente, took the field. A Flag Raising Ceremony in honor of Marine Cpl. Olsen followed. Pauline DeMayo, Olsen’s mother-in-law, was on hand to represent the family.
Mayor Bramson threw out the ceremonial first pitch and presented last year’s champions with their trophy.
Former New York State Assemblyman and Commissioner for Veterans Affairs Ron Tocci addressed the crowd gather on Tocci Field, named for his father.
New York State Senate Majority Leader Jeff Klein also threw out the ceremonial first pitch and posed for photos with the Little Leaguers.
As the ceremony wound down, the players were anxious to get on the field and play ball.
The Marine Color Guard left the field.
To view a more complete set of photos taken today, click on the following links to close to 300 photos taken today.
Robert Cox: NRLL Opening Ceremony Photo Album (205 photos)
Karen Hessel: NRLL Opening Ceremony Photo Album (33 photos)
Jennifer Parente: NRLL Opening Ceremony Photo Album (37 photos)
Beautiful Event
The sky was blue and the sun warm as hundreds of Little League players, their families, and local dignitaries opened the 2010 season this morning at Tocci field in New Rochelle, NY.
First a new flagpole was dedicated to a Vietman Veteran killed in action who was New Rochelle’s only Little Leaguer that died in the war. He was 22 when he died and his mother-in-law received the opening baseball from the event. His name was Corporal John Louis Olsen.
Marines in uniform carried out the American flag and the Marine flag and stood in the center of the field as the National Anthem was sung.
The parade of teams entered the field and assembled on the infield and outfield with their coaches. The announcer read the team name, coach’s name and the sponsors. Team sponsors were thanked by the league. A giraffe mascot entertained the crowd.
Once all the teams were in position, it was an impressive site with all the colors of the rainbow. The dozens of energetic and athletic players fidgeted and listened.
Mayor Bramson gave his very short speech of six words, “Have a great season, Play Ball”. Tim Idoni, State Senator Klein, State Assemblyman George Latimer and others were in attendance.
A player read the Little League pledge, which when I looked it up on the internet was the Little League coaches pledge.
Here is the official Little League pledge:
Here is the the Little League Parent/Volunteer Pledge:
Rick Perdew thanked the two men, who were in attendance, that founded the New Rochelle Little League in the early 1950s. He also recognized others in attendance by name and thanked them for their support.
There were two moments of silence during the event. The first was for the Vietnam Veteran for whom the flagpole was dedicated, and the 2nd moment of silence was for our troops that made the event possible, too.
Last year’s winning teams, the Red Sox and the White Sox came out. One of the teams won the large trophy that stood on the table at home plate. The mayor presented the trophy to them and everyone cheered.
The Mayor and Ron Tocci both threw pitches to start the season.
Our family has participated in the New Rochelle Little League for 5+ years and have found it to be a great opportunity for our children to practice a sport and learn sportsmanship.