Play Ball: Opening Day for Livingston's Little League

Livingston's American Little League and National Little League & Softball programs opened their seasons on Saturday with fanfare.

"We have had adults that have come back and watch their kids play on the fields they played on when they were 10 and 11 years old," said Pat Ippolito, the American League president, as he welcomed scores of children and adults who came out for opening day at the Meadowbrook Little League field.

One of those adults the League was hoping would come on Saturday was Gov. Chris Christie, who played Little League when he was growing up in town.  The governor was invited to speak at the opening day ceremony, but couldn't attend.

Local politicians were on-hand including Mayor Arlene Johnson, who threw out a ceremonial first pitch.  Township Council member Stephen Santola spoke during the opening ceremony and thanked Township Manager Michelle Meade for her work with the programs.

Brielle Forkan, Daniel Ricci and Brady Ehrich — all 5 years old — also threw out ceremonial first pitches.  This is the first year that the American Little League program in Livingston will have teams for five year olds (there will be eight teams).

Livingston's National Little League & Softball program also held an opening day ceremony Saturday morning at the fields at the Northland Recreational Center.  

Mayor Johnson and Deputy Mayor Rudy Fernandez threw ceremonial first pitches to mark the start of the season, as parents and children eagerly awaited the word to "play ball."