Play ball! Little League season begins in Rochester

Georgia Sparling
Apr 30, 2016
Five-year-old Bentley Robohn of Rochester throws the ball with his dad after the Opening Day ceremony. BY GEORGIA SPARLING

This year 280 kids on 38 teams will participate in the Old Rochester Little League, which started the season in Rochester on Saturday morning with the annual Opening Day parade and first pitch.

The league includes kids from the tri-town who play at fields in each town.

"I'm glad it's getting started," said ORLL President Derek Mello. "It's a rite of passage in New England. I'm hoping the kids have fun."

The event started with a parade of players and parents from Dexter Field to Gifford Park. With the kids circling the field, everyone saluted the flag for the National Anthem after which Glenn Lawrence did a flyover in his plane.

Mello recognized Carl Achorn, Bill Stark and Dan Wright for their contributions to the league, and the three sent the first pitches across of the season across home plate.

The 12-year-olds who are in their final year of little league were also called by name.

The first games started after the ceremony.

Five-year-old Bentley Robohn of Rochester throws the ball with his dad after the Opening Day ceremony. BY GEORGIA SPARLING
Miami waits to take the field for their first game. BY GEORGIA SPARLING
James Yu salutes the crowd at the start of his final little league season. BY GEORGIA SPARLING
The Rochester Fire Department hoisted the flag with the ladder truck. BY GEORGIA SPARLING
Players on the Fighting Illini t-ball team. BY GEORGIA SPARLING
BY GEORGIA SPARLING
Bill Stark throws one of the first pitches. BY GEORGIA SPARLING
The teams parade to the field. BY GEORGIA SPARLING
Glenn Lawrence does a flyby over the field. BY GEORGIA SPARLING
League President Derek Mello thanks supporters. BY GEORGIA SPARLING
The parade of kids and parents makes their way to the field. BY GEORGIA SPARLING
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