New City Little League Preps For Opening Day

The New City Little League (NCLL) kicks off the 2013 season on Saturday with a parade of hundreds of players followed by Opening Day ceremonies. NCLL President Lon Hofstein said even though teams began playing games as soon as Clarkstown opened its fields, the Saturday event marks the official start.

Hofstein said players will march in from two fields onto the main field at 9 am. for the hour-long program that will include local officials and possibly feature some professional baseball players. Each little leaguer will receive a raffle ticket for prizes that will be given out.

Hofstein said players will benefit from some significant changes this season with new lighting at the Strawtown Field. 

“It’s a major improvement in the lighting,” he said. “It’s all state of the art to further enhance the safety of children.”

Another change was announced last fall when NCLL opened up baseball and softball to six-year-old boys and girls. 

While little league remains popular in New City, Hofstein said discussions at Little League District meetings often concern decreasing attendance. He said little leagues in general face increased competition from baseball travel teams and other sports that have extended their seasons. One factor in New City has been the recent decrease in enrollment in the Clarkstown School District. 

Little League draws players because it is less expensive and time consuming than joining a travel league, noted Hofstein.  Additionally team members get more opportunities to play than on more competitive teams because the league’s focus is on all the children.

“Remember Little League is a recreational league,” he said. “We’re all here for the children.”