By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
The old adage says that April showers bring May flowers, April also brings the pop of the ball into a well-worn catcher’s mitt, the crack of the bat, and the ceremonial first pitch. All of those were on display at Bucyrus’ Aumiller Park on Saturday as the Bucyrus Little League season held its Opening Day.
Shortly after the last strains of The Star Spangled Banner, Bucyrus Mayor Jeff Reser made his way to the pitcher’s mound and threw out the first pitch for the 2016 Little League season. Reser reflected on his playing days for the Bucyrus Little League, and thanked the league for giving him the opportunity to throw out the season’s inaugural pitch.
“I played Little League here for four years, and the minor league field was down at Harmon Field,” Reser said. “My brother and I played on the same team and this is where we made lifelong friendships, and coming out there and being able to throw that takes me back to the 1960’s. It was a very cool thing and I am so grateful that they asked me to do this.”
Reser reflected on the opening pitch on Saturday, noting that the league is all about the kids.
“This was exciting,” Reser said. “They even made a jersey with ‘Mayor’ on the back of it. I think I am going to go to bed with it on tonight. I will remember this event, as I have the events played on the field in the past. This has changed a lot, back then we only had one field, and everything happened here, and we didn’t have any softball fields. The partnership between the league and the city has been a great one. It is all about the kids. We have to make this place a great place for the kids.”
Bucyrus Little League President Cory Tyrell was thankful for the mayor’s support of the youth baseball organization.
“It was great to have the mayor out,” Tyrell said. “He has been so supportive of us. He has allowed us to use City Hall as a meeting place for the league.”
The Bucyrus Little League features 352 players on 32 teams across majors, minors, tee ball, and softball leagues. Majors and softball were scheduled to open Saturday with the minor league opening Monday, and tee ball opening the Tuesday after Memorial Day.
PHOTO GALLERY: Bucyrus Little League opening day
