MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Youth Sports and community members gathered to celebrate and officially begin a new baseball season with an opening ceremony at Penny Lake field here May 8.
Approximately 286 youths, ages 3 - 15, who are signed up to participate in this year’s baseball season were present at the ceremony.
“The ceremony was put together to recognize the athletes for coming out for the season,” said Xavier Romero, Youth Sports coordinator. “What I really enjoy (about the ceremony) is not only do the kids get the opportunity to see each other in the league, but we get the opportunity to recognize those volunteers: our coaches, our team moms, those who keep this league going.”
Romero said everyone was able to come together as one and realize the reason for being there was the youths and to make sure everyone who participated had a good time.
This year’s baseball season is scheduled to run until June 26.
Although sign-ups for the older age groups are closed out, age group 7 - 9 years of still has a few openings.
Age groups six and under also have some openings, and anyone interested in signing up can contact youth sports at 253-3239 for more information.
“They can still get a late sign up,” said Romero. “They can still come by youth sports, and we’d be happy to put them on a team.”
Many of the volunteering coaches believe getting the children involved in this years baseball season is very beneficial for them.
“The kids really enjoy coming here and getting together,” said Stephen Lemming, a volunteering coach for age group 5 - 6. “I think its real social for the kids. It‘s a lot of fun for them.”
Aside from the fun involved in playing baseball, Lemming believes there are good lessons to learn from the sport.
“(I want the kids to learn) good sportsmanship, just the fundamentals of the game,” said Lemming. “(I want the kids to learn) the bases, how to run, how to hit, how to field and mainly how to get along with each other. They are starting in that competitive age so (playing baseball is) teaching them how to get along with each other and to take turns and to be good teammates.”
While this baseball season might be the first for some of the participating children, for Isabella Lemming, a 6-year-old Mariners player, this will be her third year playing. With three years of experience, Isabella was able to sum up what she felt the game was about.
“It’s about having fun,” said Isabella.