Let the games begin
Published 1:32 pm Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Bainbridge Mayor Edward Reynolds threw out first pitches Monday at Bill Reynolds Sports Park’s No. 2 baseball and softball complex, highlighting the Bainbridge Leisure Services Department’s annual baseball and softball opening ceremonies.
Catching the Mayor’s pitches were Earnest Williams, son of Earnest and Lashana Williams, who plays on O’Reilly Auto Parts 11- and 12-year-old baseball team, and Mary Mercer Reynolds, daughter of Mayor Reynolds and his wife, Tonya, who plays on Beef O’Brady’s 9- and 10-year-old softball team.
The Mayor and Leisure Services Department Director Al Kelley thanked the parents, sponsors, volunteer coaches and volunteer team mothers for their dedicated service, which makes the programs both possible and successful.
The national anthem was sung by Reni Harrison, daughter of Ken and Denise Harrison and a member of the Cedars Farm Plantation 9- and 10-year-old softball team. The Rev. Paul Medley, pastor of Bainbridge First Baptist Church, delivered the prayer.
Members of the city council on hand for the ceremonies were Roslyn Palmer, Glennie Bench, Luther Conyers and Phil Long.
Opening ceremonies began with Leisure Services Department Program Director Diane Atkinson introducing each of the 11 5- and 6-year-old T-ball, nine 7- and 8-year-old baseball, 10 9- and 10-year-old baseball, eight 11- and 12-year-old baseball and four 13- and 14-year-old baseball teams as they marched on the field.
The ceremonies continued with Atkinson’s introduction of the six 7- and 8-year-old softball teams, six 9- and 10-year-old softball teams, six 11- to 13-year-old softball teams and five 14- to 18-year-old softball teams as they marched on the field.