Little League Opens 60th Season Saturday

New Milford Little League's  opening day will begin at 10:30 am Saturday with a parade down River Road with all the players, age five through 12.

Jack the Jackal, the mascot of league sponsors the New Jersey Jackals, will also march in the parade. The parade begins at the Hovnanian School on River Road and will continue down to Connelly Field, behind New Milford Borough Hall where the ceremonies will take place.

The theme of this year’s ceremony is “volunteering” with awards and special acknowledgements made to people who help New Milford Little League, the community and the country.

Before the 2010 season ended, NMLL began preparations for the 2011 season. Dozens of local businesses and individuals lent their support both financially and through volunteer hours. 

The biggest improvements were to the league’s two facilities — Connelly and Pavone Fields. Mirza Landscaping was hired and over 25 tons of infield clay were installed at both fields. There was also a cleanup of player and spectator areas.

Improvements were also made to the league’s concession stand and restroom facilities. New equipment was purchased for the kitchen and the restrooms were upgraded with new hand dryers which will reduce paper waste to help the league "go green.”

New player equipment was also purchased including over 60 new batting helmets along with nearly a dozen sets of "state-of-the-art" catcher gear. The T-Ball Division, experiencing its largest number of five and six-year-old players ever, purchased new batting tees.