The Manchester Enterprise
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
2007 Little League Season
PUBLISHED: May 3, 2007
The Manchester community celebrated one of its rites of spring in grand fashion Saturday.
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A parade, celebrity appearances and multitude of games helped Manchester Area Youth Sports kick off the 2007 Little League baseball and softball seasons on a sunny day at Kirk Park.
Though organization has been in existence for more than 40 years, Saturday marked only the second year that Manchester Area Youth Sports has put on opening-day festivities of such magnitude. Last year, more than 200 kids walked in a parade to Kirk Park with Detroit Tigers mascot Paws.
The parade once again opened the celebration, but with a different route. Instead of circling Kirk Park, MAYS changed the route to include Main Street. The parade began on Adrian Street, traveled north to Main Street and then west to Clinton Street back to the park.
After the parade, each team ran the bases, followed by the singing of the national anthem. A ceremonial first pitch preceded the first round of games.
MAYS President Traci Regner said the change was designed to include Manchester's business district.
"It helps give us more exposure, and we're pleased to include the Main Street businesses," Regner said. "I think the businesses are also pleased to have the parade on Main Street."
Regner was also pleased that MAYS was able to recruit eight new sponsors this season. Among them were Steelegrafix, the Manchester Men's Club, T & N Services, Andrews Family Chiropractic, Classic Pizza, Palmeter Electric, the Manchester Bakery, Worth Repeating Recycling and W4 Country.
Steelegrafix built advertising signs for the outfield fences, while the Men's Club provided hot dogs and pop for the players. Classic Pizza offered a special large two-item pizza to any player who hit an out-of-the-park home run and had its mascot throw candy to spectators during the parade.
Radio personality "Bubba" from W4 Country led the parade, threw out the first pitch and announced the start of the games.
The Manchester Men's Club has sponsored Little League on and off for the past decade. This season, the club is sponsoring two teams; one in the coach-pitch division and a tee ball team.
"Some in the club are coaching teams and asked for our support," Denny Steele of the Men's Club said. "The parents support our functions, and we wanted to give back to the community."
Along with donating hot dogs and pop to the players, the Men's Club is giving the money it raised for the sponsorship back to the community.
"It's one way the club wants to give back," Steele said. "With all the community support we've had, we want to know that the money we've raise goes back into the community."
Worth Repeating has helped MAYS raise close to $1,200 to enhance Kirk Park. Among the projects the money supports is building a new shed for concessions and field equipment, as well as improvements to the dugouts. The Manchester Village Council already has given its support to MAYS for the projects.
"Everyone has been very cooperative with us, and I'm excited to work with them," Regner said.
"Each team will have its own site within the site," Regner said. "People can check for results, scores and stats."
In all, there are 26 teams in six divisions in MAYS Little League. Tee ball, for kids age 4 through 6, has six teams, as does coach-pitch (7- to 8-year-olds). There are also minor (ages 9 and 10 boys), major (age 11 and 12 boys) and juniors (age 13 and 14 boys) divisions. Five teams make up a junior softball division for girls.
"Participation has increased, which I'm pleased about," Regner said. "This gives the kids a safe, organized activity, and they can make friendships that will hopefully last a lifetime."
The regular season began this week and runs until late June. MAYS will then send four all-star teams, minor through juniors for baseball and junior softball, to compete in the Little League playoffs and a chance to play in the Little League World Series.
Last year, Manchester hosted the Little League Majors District tournament.
The league also has provided a boost to Manchester High School's baseball and softball programs. The juniors division serves as a feeder program, as players go from MAYS to Manchester's junior varsity teams.
"We have a good working relationship with (Manchester Athletic Director) Wes Gall and the high school coaches," Regner said.
Most of the teams in the organization are coached by parents and other volunteers. And while there rarely has been any incidents involving coaches, the organization takes the safety of its participants seriously.
"All coaches and assistant coaches are reviewed by our board, then we run a background screen," Regner said. "This helps us ensure the safety of the kids."
Of course, it's the participation of parents and volunteers that has been the key to MAYS' success, and what Regner hopes for is another fun season.
"The parent and adult participation allows us to do what we do for the kids," Regner said. "I'm looking forward to a fun and exciting season."
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