Patch Team Opens Crystal Lake Baseball

The Crystal Lake Patch Cubs now hold two places in history. One is being the first team to score a run in the history of , a new league that launched their season Friday night.

The Cubs scored two runs in the top of the first to take the lead heading into the bottom half of the first inning.

The second history-making distinction for the Cubs is being the first team to lose.

The Crystal Lake Patch Cubs dropped their first game to the Dodgers in a back-and-forth contest that saw the Cubs fall 10-8.

Crystal Lake Baseball is the first league to offer "real" baseball for youth players. Featuring lead-offs, steals and eventually balks, the start-up league will officially open its season Saturday morning when Mayor Aaron Shepley throws out the first pitch.

The ceremonies will start at 8 a.m. at the Crystal Lake Baseball fields, located next to .