Bridgewater Baseball & Softball Opens 2013 Season

Following a stormy night, Bridgewater Baseball & Softball awoke to find the sun shining and temperatures warming for the 2013 opening day ceremonies Saturday. 

Although the fields at the Prince Rodgers Baseball Complex were a little wet, the event went on as planned. A long-standing tradition, opening day included a parade of all the players and coaches, ceremonial first pitches and the first hits of the season from the league's youngest players.

Included in this year's festivities was a visit from baseball great and Somerset Patriot Manager Emeritus Sparky Lyle. Lyle spoke to the crowd and threw a ceremonial first pitch. 

Also on hand was Mayor Dan Hayes, who threw his own first pitch as part of the event. 

And the Bridgewater-Raritan High School varsity baseball team welcomed all the players and coaches onto the field with "high fives."

"Nothing is better than Bridgewater baseball," Hayes said. "This event is one of my favorite things of the year. Opening day cannot be beat as a community. It exemplifies all of the things we are trying to do in Bridgewater. You just have to look around at all the volunteers and the players."

"It is all about our children," he added. "It's a great day."