Diamonds in the Rough: Opening Day Fun from the Clark Girls Softball League

Greeting from the rough… this past Saturday was ‘Opening Day’ for the Clark Girls Softball League (CGSB). Kicking-off the 2012 season was the ‘Parade of Teams’. Parade goers, young and old,  lined Westfield Avenue to catch a glimpse of all the teams riding in their chariots, well not chariots, more like some nicely decorated pick-up trucks. The teams were chauffeured and threw candy treats to onlookers. The parade route began just before Just Plains Dave’s and proceeded down Westfield Avenue, over the Parkway, past the high school and finishing up at the softball complex behind town hall. This year’s parade was in conjunction with the Clark Little League. The guys continued past the softball fields and down to their complex located behind the Clark First Station and the Clark Fire Department Station #2, respectively.

Following the parade, each team proceeded to Dolan Field for the opening day ceremonies. Bill Smith, CGSB president and master of ceremonies, announced each team as they entered the grounds with their team banners, managers, coaches and ‘team moms’. Following some traditional opening day activities, the league gave a very special acknowledgment to Dave Panetta for his 13 years of tireless coaching, work and dedication to the CGSB. This will be Dave’s last year with the league in a coaching and administrative capacity. However, I’m sure the CGSB will find a way to keep this icon involved with the league for many years to come. Thanks, Dave for everything!

Games, games and more games dominated the rest of the opening day weekend. Till next time… see you in the rough.