By Max Bowen
max.bowen@northstarreporter.com
On April 27, one of North Attleborough’s longstanding spring traditions will fill the streets to kick off the Little League season.
The Little North Attleborough League (LNAL) Opening Day Parade will take place on Saturday, April 27. The festivities will kick off at 8:30 a.m. with the parade – consisting of players on the softball and baseball teams – leaving North Attleborough Middle School and going along Landry Avenue. From there, they will go left on Mount Hope Street, left onto Elm Street, and end at Mason Field.
League President Ritch Hartigan described the parade as “the unofficial kickoff to spring” and one he has been involved with since his son, now 17, was in the league’s T-ball program.
“It’s just a wonderful day for the community overall” he said.
Hartigan said that North Attleborough has a lot of local pride and an event like this brings it out. Many of the hundreds of parents who line the streets to cheer on the league were once members in their youth. When applying for the permit to hold the parade, Hartigan said he spoke with Fire Chief Christopher Coleman, who was in the league as a child.
“It brings people back to their childhood,” said Hartigan.
At Mason Field, there will be performances by the North Attleborough High School band, the National Anthem and the first pitch of the season. There will also be baseball clinics, raffle baskets and food. There will be a Home Run Derby with the coaches taking on the players, and Hartigan said that some of the coaches have played on area or regional teams.
“They’re not out of practice, if you will,” he said with a laugh.
The LNAL has 650 players, in ages from 4-18 in nine divisions. This includes the Challenger Division, designed for children who face intellectual and developmental challenges in day-to-day life.
The spring season begins in April and runs into June, after which the summer season begins. One must be a North Attleborough resident or go to one of the town’s schools to join. For more information, visit http://www.lnal.org.
