Spring was in the air as hundreds of baseball and softball players walked in the Little North Attleborough League’s opening day parade on Saturday.
There were players and coaches from each division walking in the parade, with a huge crowd watching from the sidewalk. Players from the baseball and softball leagues walked to Mason Field, where LNAL Vice President Zach Johnson addressed the packed audience.
Johnson was filled with energy throughout the speech and discussed numerous things happening for the league this season. Walsh mentioned how Dick’s Sporting Goods donated $1,500 for new umpire equipment and other gear that the league needed for the season.
There were various activities featured at the ballpark that included inflatables, ball pits, raffles, face painting, sponsor’s tables like the Hockomock YMCA, and North Attleborough High School, and home run derbys for each division. The YMCA collected used equipment to help support hunger while NAHS hosted batting cages and pitching lessons.
Towards the end of his speech, Johnson took a moment of silence to honor the Jusczyk family of Plainville, who lost their daughter Malia, 14, last June from cancer.
“No one knows how she lived with so much aggressive cancer for so long with such tenacity, compassion and gentleness.” said Malia’s mother Megan
The LNAL has dedicated this season in Malia’s honor. The Jusczyk family has been a part of the LNAL for years and will continue to be.
“We hope that everyone on this field remembers to always have fun and give it your best like Malia would,” said Johnson.
The reception ended with Maddie Lavine performing the National Anthem and families all over the field enjoyed a day to celebrate this year’s start of the LNAL baseball and softball seasons.
