Play Ball: Darien Little League Families Celebrate Opening Day

DARIEN, Conn. - Darien Little League held its opening day festivities Sunday, with kids ranging in age from kindergarten through 12 coming out to enjoy a parade, free hot dogs, and spring kickoff ceremonies at McGuane Park.

Players and families come out Sunday for Darien Little League's opening day ceremonies. Here players pose on top of a dugout with hotdogs in hand.
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

The Little League parade heads down Noroton Avenue on Sunday.
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

Little League players pose with friends.
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

Softball players gather together during the opening ceremonies.
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

Members of the Challenger team address the crowd.
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

Members of Darien's Challenger program.
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

Sid Verma, a member of the Challenger program, throws out the first pitch.
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

Come and get 'em!
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

Everyone enjoys a free hot dog.
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

Paul Brener Sr. and Paul Brener Jr., 10, enjoy the activities.
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

Catina Aspiazu, of Darien, and her poodle eye a hot dog.
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

Baseball players love hot dogs.
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

Players and families come out Sunday for Darien Little League's opening day ceremonies.
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

Darien High softball captains (from left): Rebecca DeMaio, Erika Osherow, Kelly Vodola and Avery Maley.
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

Darien HS baseball captains (from left): Anthony DiMeglio, Michael Maccarone and Conor Davey.
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

Darien Little League President Hutch Pegler welcomes the large crowd.
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

Members of the Orioles.
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

Players pose with teammates.
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

Lifetouch players strike a pose.
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

Players pose with friends during the opening ceremonies.
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

Players meet up with friends during the opening ceremonies.
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

Left to right: Katherine Lindell, Miller Ward and Charlotte Kiser of the Osherow Embraceables team are ready for the season to start.
Photo Credit: *Amy Kiser*

Skip Pearlman

04/27/2015 5:00 a.m.

Baseball and softball teams lined up for the parade, which started at Darien High School and ended at McGuane Field, where the teams lined the infield grass and listened to welcoming comments from Little League President Hutch Pegler.

"This is one of our favorite days of the year," Pegler told the Daily Voice. "It's so great to see all the kids out with their friends, their families. ... From toddlers all the way up to the high school buddies that pair up with our Challenger League. Everyone out and getting ready for the season ... all the smiles on all the faces. It's just a great day to kick off the season."

The season's first pitch was thrown out by Sid Verma, a member of the league's Challenger team, for special athletes.

"It's a program for special kids who have challenges," Pegler said. "And they don't necessarily have the opportunity to play a lot of other sports. This gives them an opportunity to really get out and enjoy the sport of baseball. They're so enthusiastic, and so great -- it's such a wonderful part of our program. We're very proud of that."

The captains from the varsity baseball and softball teams from Darien High School's also made brief comments to the crowd at the Sunday celebration.

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