Clarion Little League Opening Day Ceremonies Held Last Saturday (05/01/15)

The Clarion Little League Baseball opening day ceremonies were held at Paul A. Weaver Park, this past Saturday (April 25th). League President Brian Smail offers this account of this special event:

I want to start by thanking all of our sponsors, volunteers, families, managers and players for making our 2015 opening day ceremonies a success.

Unfurling the Championship banners

This was my first opening day as president, and I was truly humbled as everything came together. None of this would have been possible without the strong support that we have as a community here in Clarion.

All of the pictures in this article as well as on our league website of opening day are courtesy of Smith Photography. Carrie Smith did an amazing job with our player and team pictures as well for our little league softball and baseball programs.

Civil Air Patrol Color Guard presenting the colors

Carrie had a full morning of taking these pictures and I thank her for capturing these moments so that we may always look back and enjoy them. More photos of the event will be on www.clarionlittleleague.org as well as our facebook page.

The first thing that we did was to have all of the teams get in front of our new McDonald’s sponsored scoreboard for a league picture. It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words. To me, this picture is priceless.

(All Photos by Smith Photography) Teams gathered in front of new scoreboard

Garrett Goheen then introduced some of the young men that made it to States for the past three years, as well as unveiling the banners that these young men have earned. I loved hearing what he had to say for each player and coach that had such an amazing journey through little league.

This group has given all of us a reason to be proud for them, and have shown us that through hard work and commitment, anything is possible.

Their story does not end now that they are out of little league. I am looking forward to watching them represent the league and the community as they join our junior league division.

Garrett Goheen introducing 3-Time State participants

Next I had the privilege to officially thank President Monica Goheen for the years that she served on the Clarion Little League Board.

Since Saturday, I have also been able to thank Vice President Ken Staub and Treasurer Darrell Datko as well for the years that they gave in service to our community and league. The players were champions on the field, and these officers were champions in the board room.

Mayor David Walters then threw out our first pitch. Mayor Walters was a very busy man on Saturday. After the pitch, he was the umpire for our opening day softball games. I thank him so much for helping us have a success on both of our little league fields.

The noon fire whistle signaled our final segment of the opening day ceremony.

Clarion Mayor and LL umpire David (Dude) Walters throwing the first pitch

We were truly blessed to have the services of the Civil Air Patrol Color Guard. USAF Senior Airmen Vanessa Bartoe delivered a beautiful rendition of our national anthem. The precision and elegance of the CAPCG and Senior Airmen Bartoe was the absolute perfect finale of the opening day ceremonies.

U.S.A.F. Senior Airman Vanessa Bartoe singing the National Anthem

I am looking forward to the rest of the season, and we hope to see you all at the fields. Game schedules are posted on our website. Play Ball!