The newest addition to the Old Rochester Little League is definitely a team player.

At Saturday’s annual Opening Day in Rochester, the league debuted its new golf cart, which came together through a community effort.

Nathan Mendes, a new member of the ORLL Board of Directors, didn’t quite know what he was getting into when he took on the project of acquiring a golf cart, but everyone on the board knew there was a need.

Dragging the field to smooth the playing surface after each game is a cumbersome task, which many of the kids are too small to do adequately. A golf cart, on the other hand, could make short work of the task.

“We drag the field with this huge screen that probably weighs about fifty pounds,” Mendes said. “It takes about ten passes around the field.”

He knew the league couldn’t afford a new golf cart and asked his father-in-law, Manny Botelho, if he would donate his. Botelho agreed. Then Mendes got local businesses involved. He contacted the owner of Discount Auto in Wareham, who agreed to paint the cart, as long as Mendes would contribute some elbow grease.

Next, Village Signs in Mattapoisett volunteered to detail the exterior of the cart, putting “Old Rochester Little League” on the front. Paul Fleugel, the founder of the league who has since passed away, is also remembered with his well-known motto “It’s all about the kids.” painted on the back.

The finishing touch, so to speak, was a battery sold at cost by Five Star Golf Carts in Bourne.

A few days before the Opening Day parade and first pitch, Mendes said he was looking forward to the big reveal of the golf cart, especially after spending the past two months procuring and preparing the vehicle.

“Now, seeing the finished product, I feel like I’m more excited than the kids to see this,” he said.

In addition to keeping the field in better shape, Mendes said the golf cart will be helpful for moving heavy coolers and equipment from place to place. Plus, the older baseball players may be able to pitch in and drive it.

As a newcomer to the Board of Directors, Mendes admits he didn’t quite know what he was agreeing to when he signed on, but he has a new admiration for all the other leaders who have spent countless hours over the years on behalf of the kids.

“What I see goes on behind the scenes, it’s a ton of work,” said Mendes. “I will continue to be involved now because I see how much work needs to be done. It’s also fun to see the smile on the kids' faces.”