TOWAMENCIN – Opening Day ceremonies were socially distanced, players and parents waved from cars instead of dugouts, and the parade of teams weaved through a parking lot instead of an outfield.
But “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” was as welcoming a sound as ever, as Hatfield-Towamencin Baseball and Softball got off to a rousing start Saturday afternoon at North Penn High School.
“It’s such a great thing to see all these fans, all these families coming together to do something great, like playing baseball and softball,” said Joe Picozzi of Hatfield-Towamencin Baseball and Softball, getting the festivities going.
The organization, formerly known as TYA Baseball, is celebrating its 50th season. It will be in its 51st year, but with the pandemic wiping out almost all of the 2020 season, 2021 will provide an end to a long wait.
Due to social distancing, Opening Day festivities were moved to the North Penn High School parking lot. Many players, coaches and volunteers watched from their parked cars.
“Certainly, the past year has been very interesting, very interesting and very challenging,” baseball commissioner Jeff Baer said in his opening comments to the crowd. “Our spring 2020 season had to be cancelled just as it was about to begin.
“The world went into a deep lockdown. We are starting to emerge from that lockdown.”
The Hatfield Fire Department brought its ladder truck, unfurling a gigantic American flag that waved in the chilly April breeze.
Confetti cannons soon blasted, signifying the official start to the season.
Players and families then took part in the car parade, their vehicles slowly moving out of the parking lot, through the bus circle, and then exiting NP via Snyder Road.
Players wore their uniforms and waved hand-held flags out their car windows.
There was no mascot race this year, but nevertheless mascots were on hand, waving at the players as they proceeded by in the car parade.
“As a 20-plus year volunteer in the TYA community, the gathering here today just shows the dedication and resilience within the community,” softball commissioner Charlie Cole said. “It really shows a great deal of support and dedication on the part of the entire TYA community.”
“For over 50 years, TYA has offered organized youth sports programs, helped develop athletes, promoted sportsmanship and fitness, and we’ve built a spirit of community,” Baer said. “And that is because families like you participate.”
The Towamencin Police Department helped with the car parade, which provided a smooth finale to the festivities.
“The one thing we wanna say is thank you,” Picozzi said. “That’s probably the thing that means the most to us is for you to come out here and do all the things you do, especially the parents.
“We know what you go through with washing uniforms, all the busy schedules, and to get your kids to the field on time. It’s a lot. But it’s worth it. It’s worth every single minute of it.”