Luckily, the rain waited until evening when the Northwestern Youth Athletic Association tee ball, grasshopper and prep softball teams gathered to officially open their season April 25.

Volunteers from the school helped the Parent Teacher Organization man the concession stand.

As the players marched down the road to the playing field for the 11th annual event, they chanted, “Here we are, Tigers, here we come.”

David Freeman, baseball director for the NYAA, commented on the opening day.

“We’re here and the sun is shining so that’s a good sign,” Freeman said.

Tessa DeJesus sang “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.”

Erin Funk, director of NYAA softball, said this is her eighth year in the position.

She said the fields may be a little sloppy but it was a great day.

Sponsors were acknowledged by Freeman and thanked.

They included Pennsylvania Lawn and Landscape, Feinour’s Automotive, Sherer Building Contractor, Dellicker Strategies, Bishop Photo, Alan Kunsman Roofing and Siding, Medicap Pharmacy, New Tripoli Hair Studio and Waste Management.

Mascots, including the NWL Tiger, and FeFe and Ferrous from IronPigs raced around the bases.

Although the Tiger fell, he hopped up and won the race.

Kayla Mitman, who played softball with the NYAA, is now the high school captain.

“It is my last season,” Mitman said. “I can remember being a Little Tiger and I cherish those moments.”

State Rep. Gary Day, R-187th, said all his family participated in sports.

“It is a time when the community comes together and every team hopes for a championship,” Day said.

He asked the youngsters if they were ready to play, and when they said yes, Day said he needed them to say it loud enough so people at the school could hear.

Day then increased the distance until the kids were yelling at the top of their lungs so they could be heard in Harrisburg.

Volunteers are what makes the program great, Day said, adding when his kids played, he went with them.

He said parents should take the time to do the same.

“This is what we live for, time with family,” Day said. “Some of the players will become high school players.

“They learn life lessons through the program. All these people are here for you guys he told the players. Thank you.”

Freeman thanked the Northwestern Recreation Commission for letting them use the beautiful fields.

DeJesus then sang the “Star Spangled Banner” as some of the teams were going directly to play the first game of the season.

Day asked for a round of applause for Freeman and Funk. Then he led the cheer “Play ball” and said they should yell the words as loud as they could.

Team pictures were taken with the coaches and IronPigs and Tiger mascots.