Temple Terrace Little League: 2009 Fall Season
 |
 |
Temple Terrace Little League Has Hall of Fame Opening Ceremony!
Temple Terrace, Fl., Sept. 19, 2009 - The Temple Terrace Little League kicked off the 2009 Fall Season in Hall of Fame style on Saturday September 19th as the league held their Opening Ceremony at Ridgedale Complex.
The exciting event was a huge success for the league as nearly 600 participants and guest attended the opening day activities that consisted of a parade of champions, presentation from Hall of Famer Robin Roberts and the first pitch ceremony by Temple Terrace Mayor, Joe Affronti.
The Little Leaguers kicked off the hour-long program by parading the bases with pride and standing cheers from the crowd. The parade around the bases ended with the players standing in the infield. Parents were then asked to move from the stands out on the field to stand behind the players.
After an invocation was performed by board member, Jon Bassett, the King High School Honor Guard kicked off the honoring of our national flag. The lovely and talented Jenny Bassett amazed the crowd with her awesome performance of our National Anthem.
Jimmy Schaffer, another Little League board member introduced the Hall of Fame guest speaker, Robin Roberts. “He is one of our own, our neighbor. His kids went to King High School here in Temple Terrace,” said Schaffer. “He is affectionately known to me and those around the Temple Terrace as Coach.”
“They didn’t have Little League when I was a kid,” said the 83 year old Hall of Fame and National Baseball Hall of Fame Board of Director member, “we would just go out in the street or field and play baseball.”
Roberts won 20 games or more in six straight seasons retiring in 1966 with 286 wins. The tough Phillies pitcher threw 28 straight complete games over two years and had a lifetime ERA of .340. He was elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1976.
Payton Culbertson, a player from the Majors Division, recited the Little League Pledge and Grapefruit Division manager, Mike Pine, gave a history of the pledge and recited the parent’s pledge to teach their kids to play fair.
Temple Terrace Little League Player Agent, Richard Schmidt, introduced each team manager and gave them their team packet filled with tools for managing their team for the season.
Wesley Fricks, VP of Baseball Operations at the park, came forth and thanked all guest and participants.
“We would like to thank our special guest Hall of Famer Robin Roberts and Mayor Joe Affronti for their participation in today’s program,” said Fricks, who is also a Ty Cobb Museum board member and Museum historian.
Fricks also thanked all of the volunteers who he said work behind the scenes and roll up their sleeves to make things happen for their league.
Fricks praised Little League as a “great organization.” He said it has brought so many families together. “It has brought together grandparents and grandchildren, it has brought together parents with their kids and it has brought us all together this morning,” he said.
Fricks concluded, “Thank God for giving us baseball, it is truly the greatest game in the world!”
Mayor Affronti was introduced and he cut a path through the crowd until he found the pitcher’s mound where he tossed the ball in the “first pitch” ceremony.
Unannounced to the Mayor, his grandson was chosen to catch the "first pitch." After the catch, Jarrett Affronti headed to the mound to give a big hug to his “Papi.”
This is what Little League is all about – families - the cornerstone of the organization!
 |
Thursday, July 30
Temple Terrace Little League's Officer Elections
The Temple Terrace Little League elections are coming in August. Please talk to your coach, manager, or board member to get your officer elected to the board.
Elections will be concluded by the first week in September.
GET YOUR VOTE IN NOW!