And opening day was a perfect day for it!
Cornwall’s Little League opening day — with players ranging from pre-schoolers to high schoolers — kicked off its 2023 season — it’s 73rd season! — under perfectly blue skies and with warm temperatures this past Saturday morning.
It all began with the annual parade, which stepped off at 9 a.m., but was in the works starting at about a.m. Parking was sparse around the Riverlight Park-Rings Pond-Little League Cabin area as parents, grandparents, community members and, of course, players arrived.
When they began to march, with uniformed teams carrying flags and banners with their team names, they just came and came and came, with the parade continuing nearly as far as the eye could see. (That may be an exaggeration, but, really, there were tons of marchers!)
Once everyone was on the field, Lynn Beesecker, the Little League president, welcomed all and got the ‘formal’ festivities underway. As he stood at home plate, lining the first base line were dignitaries such as Town Supervisor Josh Wojehowski and Village Mayor Jimmy Gagliano (who eventually gave the most well-received speech of all, saying a quick thanks and then just “Let’s Play Ball!” to the applause of most every child who was actually ready to play!)
Beesecker asked Chaplain Robert Hershberger to deliver an invocation, who gave thanks for the excited young players and their families.
“They are all dressed up and ready to play ball,” Hershberger said, and added a prayer for their safety as the season continued. He also said the community gives thanks for the adults who support the league and who cheer on the young athletes.
The event started with a moment of silence for those who died in the past year and were part of the Little League family.
Then, the raising of the American flag took place on the Ed Doty Field, while Cornwall High School’s Treble in Paradise sang the National Anthem.
Beesecker offered many thanks as well, including to Flag Guys, which donated the flag for the complex; the American Legion, Cornwall Lion’s Club and Knights of Columbus; Alan Seidman, a longtime supporter of the Little League; County Legislator Kevin Hines (“a product of Cornwall Little League”); and Cornwall High School’s varsity baseball and softball teams who were on hand to provide an ‘honor guard tunnel” as the young players entered the field. He also took a minute to thank the Cornwall Highway and Buildings & Grounds Department for their hard work in keeping the fields in good shape. It was noted that Cornwall may have “the nicest Little League fields in the county”.
Also part of the event was the dedication of the League’s cabin to John Carnright, who died this past winter.
Reading from the plaque that will adorn the cabin, Beesecker said: “This cabin is dedicated to John Carnright in recognition of his tireless service and commitment to the Cornwall Little League and its players; his passion for the game; and his dream that every child should have the opportunity to play”. Beesecker called Carnright “kind, funny and a real gentleman, exemplifying good sportsmanship.”
Carnright’s young granddaughter threw out the first pitch at the opening, to his young nephew.
After the ceremony, games began, with a full schedule taking place on the gorgeous day.
