The young ball players of the tee ball, grasshoppers and prep softball teams provided their own music for the season-opening parade at the Northwestern Recreation Community Park, along Route 309 in New Tripoli

As they marched, the youngsters repeated "Here we go Tigers, here we go."

Northwestern Tiger, Leann Lister, and IronPigs' mascot FeRROUS raced around the bases as the players lined the first to third base lines.

To cries of "FeRROUS cheated," he kept his lead, though he had covered about 20 feet before the "go" signal was given.

Softball Director Andy Lister juggled three bats and rode his unicycle around the field.

He got on for a second ride and was handed his bats.

As Lister tried to juggle and ride, he was wobbly and only made it to the pitcher's mound.

He looked amazed when he was handed the bats but gave his best try even though it was a first.

Haley Smith, Abbie Smith and Daneen Haas opened the formal program with "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," and would return to close the program with "The Star Spangled Banner."

Dave Laudenslager, Northwestern Youth Athletic Association director of baseball, said he's been involved with the baseball program for 11 years and opening day is still his favorite day of the year.

He introduced the IronPigs' starting pitcher David Buchanan, and said the varsity team from the school was at the field.

They were in first place.

He said the recreation fields are one of the best facilities in the Lehigh Valley and credited the team sponsors for helping to make that possible.

Then, getting serious he said the NYAA needs volunteers for all positions.

Lister said it is the fourth year for in-house prep and the age 10 and under, and teams for 14-year-olds were in first place last year and that every team was fourth or better.

The girls' logo is "Girls win when they are having fun."

He said the March 21 passing of Fran Ledeboer, who was on the board of directors of the NYAA, coached and was a baseball director, was a great loss.

When cancer was found, Ledeboer was given six months to live but she battled for three more years.

Lister said she was a very important person in the community.

Buchanan spoke on behalf of himself and the IronPigs.

"We are honored to be here," Buchanan said.

"This is where it starts. I started at 4 years old and it's still a blast to do it every day. My parents drove me all around the country. Your parents do a lot. Thank them. It all starts here," he said.

Colton Breininger was the catcher as a person from each youth team threw the first pitch.

Buchanan signed the balls for the pitchers as keepsakes.

State Rep. Gary Day, R-187th, said he was thrilled to be part of this fraternity. He was a parent and former coach.

He said the people there with their children had "stepped off the couch" and that there is a job for everyone.

"I remember looking down at a young person's eyes and seeing, 'Tell me what to do and I'll do my best.'" Day said.

The NYAA has one of the best opening days he has seen.

He said there was a hero in the audience and he wanted to recognize him.

Casey Smith, a member of the electronic attack squadron VAQ 130, just returned from a nine-month deployment on the USS Harry S Truman where he was helping to keep ground troops safe.

He came forward for recognition carrying daughter, Aislin, in his arms.