Lewisboro Baseball Opening Day

Editor's note: Thanks to Rob Cummings for this report from the field.

The Lewisboro Baseball Association kicked off its 2010 season on Saturday at the newly renovated Lewisboro Town Park baseball field.

The festivities started at noon with a barbecue of hamburgers, hot dogs, and cheeseburgers donated by the Lewisboro Lions.  Master of Ceremonies Steve Mangione then introduced the teams as they paraded onto the fresh grass.  All players and spectators rose for the playing of the National Anthem.

League President Greg LaSorsa took the mike and thanked parents and families for their support and welcomed everyone to a new season of baseball. He recognized the LBA Honorees of the Year: Henri Wolfe and Sue Vales.  

Wolfe is the driving force behind Lewisboro Community Television (LCTV) channel 20 and has been a tireless supporter of community sports.  Sue Vales owns the Horse & Hound Restaurant with her husband Sylvain Vales.  A long-time team and league sponsor, Vales donates a home meeting space for many LBA board meetings.

Several players were called up to help with the raffle ticket selection. Raffle prizes included dinner at Le Chateau in South Salem and one week at a condo at the Smuggler's Notch ski resort in northern Vermont.  Seventh-grader Bryan Conway helped cut the ribbon to the new wheelchair accessible gate.  

Town Supervisor Charlie Duffy threw out the ceremonial first pitch (a strike!) to officially start the season.  Several games followed at the various fields around Lewisboro on this picture perfect Saturday.

The changes to the Town Park field include converting it from "little league" dimensions of 60 foot basepaths to a dual purpose field that adds 70 foot basepath dimensions and moves the outfield fence from 200 to 220 feet. The field is also now fully wheelchair accessible.  The league also financed the construction of stairs and fencing from the field level up to the concession stand and bleachers, improving safety and aesthetics.