Thousands gathered on Saturday, April 4 for Ceres Youth Baseball-Softball Opening Day festivities at the George Costa Ball Field Complex.
"The ceremony was 45 minutes long," said Lance Goblirsch, the organization's president. Everything went real smooth. The fields looked great thanks to the city and (groundskeeper) Red Simmons."
Added Vice President of Softball Gary Wilson: "The parking lot and side streets were full."
A number of city leaders attended the 45-minute event, including Mayor Anthony Cannella, Vice Mayor Chris Vierra, Councilmembers Ken Lane, Guillermo Ochoa and Bret Durossette, and Director of Recreation Doug Lemcke.
Mayor Cannella caught the first pitch for baseball from his five-year-old son Mackay.
Durossette threw the first pitch for softball to Lemcke.
Rachelle Garrett performed the National Anthem.
More than 40 games were played. Each contest lasted 45 minutes and/or three innings.
More than 950 players, ages 5-18, have registered to play baseball and softball this year.
The organization has experienced a slight drop in enrollment. Goblirsch attributed part of the decline to tough economic times.
"It was a concern," he said. "The first two sign-ups we didn't have too many people. By the third, we started to fill up."
The league is comprised of 77 teams, including 51 baseball and 26 softball.
There are five divisions for baseball: 6&under, 8&under, 10&under, 12&under and 15&under.
There are also five divisions for softball: 6&under, 8s, 10s, 13s and 18s.
"The ceremony was 45 minutes long," said Lance Goblirsch, the organization's president. Everything went real smooth. The fields looked great thanks to the city and (groundskeeper) Red Simmons."
Added Vice President of Softball Gary Wilson: "The parking lot and side streets were full."
A number of city leaders attended the 45-minute event, including Mayor Anthony Cannella, Vice Mayor Chris Vierra, Councilmembers Ken Lane, Guillermo Ochoa and Bret Durossette, and Director of Recreation Doug Lemcke.
Mayor Cannella caught the first pitch for baseball from his five-year-old son Mackay.
Durossette threw the first pitch for softball to Lemcke.
Rachelle Garrett performed the National Anthem.
More than 40 games were played. Each contest lasted 45 minutes and/or three innings.
More than 950 players, ages 5-18, have registered to play baseball and softball this year.
The organization has experienced a slight drop in enrollment. Goblirsch attributed part of the decline to tough economic times.
"It was a concern," he said. "The first two sign-ups we didn't have too many people. By the third, we started to fill up."
The league is comprised of 77 teams, including 51 baseball and 26 softball.
There are five divisions for baseball: 6&under, 8&under, 10&under, 12&under and 15&under.
There are also five divisions for softball: 6&under, 8s, 10s, 13s and 18s.
