Play ball!
Local hitters, pitchers and catchers came to parade themselves up Bell Blvd. for Bayside Little League's opening ceremony yesterday at Crocheron Park.
The League was chartered in 1953. Today, under Commissioner Bob Reid, 1,000 kids from ages 5 to 14, according to parent Roseann Henry. Reid has been commissioner for 25 years.
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Sen. Charles Schumer, D-New York, Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-Brooklyn and Queens, State Sen. Tony Avella, D-Bayside and Councilman Dan Halloran, R-Bayside, were present for the opening ceremony.
Schumer, who himself played in his local little league when growing up in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, told the youngsters that Little League promotes "American values," like teamwork, sportsmanship and courage.
Find out what's happening in Bayside-Douglastonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Click on the videos to watch Avella throw the season's first pitch, and hear Schumer's address to the Bayside crowd. Reporting by Roseann Henry.
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