MLB Umpire Joe West speaks at Plant City Little League's Opening Day 2017

Plant City opened their Spring 2017 Little League season Saturday February 18th. PCLL was started in 1954 and saw a great turnout for 2017 with 45 teams.

The 2017 Strawberry Queen Drew Knotts threw out the first pitch.

Veteran Major League umpire Joe West was the guest speaker at Opening Ceremonies. Joe honored the 9-10 boys FL state champions. Joe's 38 year career makes him the senior umpire among active MLB umpires. His 4,821 games as an umpire ranks him third all time. Joe was on the field for Nolan Ryan's 5th no-hitter, Pete Rose's NL record for consecutive games with a hit, Willie McCovey's 500th HR and Feliz Hernandez's perfect game. Joe has appeared in 6 World Series, 2 All-Star Games, 9 League Championship Series and 8 League Division Series. Joe grew up in Greenville NC and played QB at Elon College. Joe is the current president of the World Umpires Association. Joe has also released two country music albums and has performed at The Grand Ole Opry. Joe also made a cameo appearance in the 1988 comedy "The Naked Gun". Joe resides in Clermont FL.

The Plant City Little League appreciates the efforts of parents, volunteers and especially the sponsors that make things possible. All the sponsors make a real difference along with the main sponsors Brewington's Towing, Morrow Steel, Jarrett-Scott Ford, Patterson Companies, AAA Gun and Ammo, Plant it Earth and Florida Strawberry Festival.