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Sports

SYAG Opening Day Parade a Home Run

Despite poor weather, parade still a hit for young and old.

Let's play ball.

Despite wind, cold and cloudy skies, SYAG Little League held its annual opening day parade Saturday afternoon to open up the much-anticipated baseball and softball seasons.

All the baseball and softball team's took part in the parade, beginning at Cayuga Elementary and concluding at Smith Field next to Sachem High School North. The players wore their team colors proudly and displayed their decorated banners for the duration of the parade.

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A contest for the best banner was held at the Opening Day ceremony at Smith Field, with Long Island Ducks mascot Quackerjack acting as Judge. For softball, the Pink Panthers took home top prize, while the Dragons won for baseball.

"We anticipate this parade from the end of the season prior," said SYAG Commissioner Bob Cummings. "We look forward to the banner contest, the kids, the parade, hopefully good weather. It's something we all look forward to."

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Cummings said the parents and especially the players do a great job each season, no matter what the weather conditions are.

"A little bit of wind, a little bit of cold isn't going to stop them. They came out and the parade was just as good as ever. [The season] doesn't come soon enough," he added. "The winter was really cold and we had a lot of snow storms. We love when it happens and it's something we enjoy the whole time."

"It's a great time of the year," said SYAG Softball Director Mike Bertolino. "The kids have a great time. We try and encourage them to just come out and have a nice day." 

Brookhaven Town Supervisor Mark Lesko was on-hand to throw out the ceremonial first pitch to officially open up the new season.

Lesko praised SYAG, calling it one of the top leagues in the state.

"It really is one of the best little leagues in the state of New York," he said. "Best run, best organized, great participation, and obviously the kids have a ball."

Lesko joked that there's always pressure when throwing out the first pitch. 

"You always get butterflies when you throw the first pitch," he said laughing. "You can't put it in the dirt, that's the only rule. Whenever you do that, you get booed. We did well today, threw a strike and had a great catcher. It all worked out."

Stay tuned to Sachem Patch for another story about opening day from the kids and parents' perspective.

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