Saturday morning was pitch perfect for the Old Rochester Little League Opening Day. This year, Mattapoisett hosted the celebration, starting with a parade from the Knights of Columbus Hall to Haley Field at Old Hammondtown School.

“For me it’s a transformation from winter to spring,” said ORLL President Derek Mello. “It’s basically a new start.”

The league, now in its third year, has 330 players this season. Each team was introduced around the diamond on Saturday and the outgoing 12-year-old players were recognized by name.

“I think it’s good to recognize all our players, and it’s also a good way to send off our graduating twelve year olds,” said Mello. “It gives them something to feel good about in the next stage of their life.  It’s almost like a gateway to the next level.”

In addition to the teams, three men who contributed to the little league program, but have passed away, were recognized.

The town rededicated Haley Field, named for John Haley who was the first Mattapoisett Recreation director in 1995. Haley’s family stood around home plate as his daughter Luanne Nugent spoke about her father.

The family donated a bench in his honor, and Nugent said she hoped many would sit there and enjoy the games.

“He would be so grateful if you did,” she said.

As her father would have wanted it, Nugent told the players, “Get your caps on, your shirts tucked in and play ball!”

Rodney Thomas was also honored for his service to the game.

“He was a guy who gave freely of his time, of his money. Be your best, that’s what he wanted,” said John Durocher. “He would want us to play ball.”

Tom Gamache remembered fellow coach Paul Fleugal.

“This was Paul’s favorite day of the year,” Gamache said. “He loved it. We would talk for hours about your teams."

Fleugal was a team player, said Gamache.

“Coach Fleugal taught me it’s not about your kids, it’s about all kids,” he said.

Fleugal also set up Saturday clinics to help kids understand the game, which Gamache attributed to so many successful players at the high school level. The clinics will now be named after Fleugal.

Also at the event, were members of the tri-town fire and police departments as well as the Mattapoisett Lions Club.

Mattapoisett, as the hosting town, did a lot to get ready for the day, said Mello.

“The town departments really step up and help us,” he said.

Now, all that’s left to do is play ball!

Listen to Old Rochester Regional sophomore Sara Achorn sing the national anthem below.