UM Little League Opening Ceremony Draws Hundreds

Near-freezing weather and the threat of a torrential downpour couldn’t keep the hundreds of parents, team managers and, most importantly, the ball players from attending the Opening Day Ceremony of the Upper Moreland Little League (UMLL)

The ceremony took place on the early morning of April 16 at the pristinely kept .

According to Jeff Stainback, UMLL president, there are over 800 youth playing on 95-plus baseball and softball teams this season. Teams in the UMLL, otherwise known as Little League District 22, play in leagues according to age from Instructional and T-Ball to Juniors and Seniors.

Stainback, who led the ceremony, said that parents have brought their children to the UMLL since the early 1950s, when the Little League chapter was founded in Upper Moreland.

He said that parents, who were likely players themselves, want to pass on lessons learned from their Little League experience both on the field and off.

“It’s not so much about doing something physical, they’re also learning the right way to play the game,” Stainback said. “Something we teach them is teamwork and integrity.”

“Here, they learn how to be a part of a team,” Stainback continued.

And, with so many players participating this season, it took more than 20 minutes for Stainback to announce each team name and correlating local sponsor, with the players and team managers parading around the infield—much to the uproarious cheering of the UMLL families and fans closely huddled on the bleachers.

“It’s freezing, but the tradition is important,” Dave Gerlach, parent of several children in UMLL, said. “I played Little League ball in the [1970s], and to be able to hand this down means a lot. I feel proud.”

Standing with Stainback on the pitcher’s mound were past UMLL presidents, UMLL officials, and longtime UMLL supporters State Representative Tom Murt (R-152), who is sponsoring two UMLL teams and is a former team manager; and State Senator Stewart Greenleaf, a former UMLL umpire who is also sponsoring a team this year.

During the opening remarks, both politicians expressed gratitude toward the volunteers in the audience, as the UMLL is a 100-percent volunteer organization.

“Little League wouldn’t happen without their dedication,” Greenleaf said, addressing the audience.

According to past UMLL president Jack Tarman, sponsors and volunteers are needed for every aspect of running UMLL

“You saw all the teams out there,” said Tarman, who has volunteered with the UMLL for the past 40 years. “The managers, umpires, parents, they’re the other team—it takes a big team.”

Alice Creswick recalled volunteering with her sister at 16 in the UMLL Complex concession stand, lovingly referred to as “The Window.”

“You can’t start a game unless a parent does a window,” Creswick explained.

Creswick said she continued to volunteer with the league when both her sons played baseball and her daughter played softball for UMLL. Now, her grandson, Christian, will play AAA ball with the UMLL this season.

The concession stand was open after the ceremony, serving familiar ballpark treats, and a lot of hot chocolate.

The Willow Grove Volunteer Fire Company, which is sponsoring several teams, brought its ladder truck to help honor the occasion; an American flag was hoisted at the top.

As it is the all-American pastime, Upper Moreland Middle School Annie performers and UMLL softball players Maureen Farley and Madelynn Rafferty sung the national anthem.

After-ceremony attractions included a magician, a pitching booth and a visit from Boomer, the Trenton Thunder mascot.