On April 20, the Salisbury Youth Association in-house baseball program celebrated the start of their season with annual opening day festivities. Despite a chilly and overcast start to the day, spirits were high on the fields, which hosted the youngest of SYA’s baseball players who participate in the T-ball and minors programs.

The T-ball players were up first. Each player was invited to get their “game face on” as volunteers painted everything from under eye black to jersey numbers on the kids’ faces.

Just before game time, volunteer DJ duo Brian Smith and Tim Weidner called everyone together, where in-house baseball Director Kenny Wellbank announced each player by name, inviting the kids to run through a tunnel of their nearest and dearest before lining up to face the flag and sing the national anthem.

After the opening ceremony, spectators stopped by the concession stand to grab a bite to eat and visit the basket raffle station to try and win one of the 14 baskets up for grabs.

“I’m hoping to open up this program to more kids in the community who haven’t had the chance to play a youth sport, whether that’s due to financial constraints or special needs,” Wellbank said of opening day, adding how he hoped to inspire more of Salisbury’s local businesses to get involved.

Several local businesses including Daisy Hill, Cactus Blue and the IronPigs were among those who donated raffle baskets.

“There was a special sense of community, with new faces I have not seen in the past joining the familiar returning crowd,” Braves Head Coach and SYA Vice President Bryon Cramsey said of the event, which seemed to bring the community out in droves. “It was heartwarming to see friends, family and fans come early and stick around later to watch both the T-ball and minors games.”

And stick around they did. The second half of the festivities began shortly after the first half ended, with the minors players getting to experience the same pomp and circumstance as the younger players when they took to the fields in the early afternoon.

“The positive vibes and sense of togetherness are essential for building a strong community,” Cramsey said after the event. “Let’s keep the momentum going and continue to create memorable experiences!”

SYA’s in-house baseball program will continue with Saturday games into early June.