Youth Sports

Baseball season arrives in Seaford

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See a gallery of photos from the parade and ceremony here.

The Mets and Yankees started play on April 6, and Seaford Little Leaguers followed suit five days later. Opening Day festivities were held last Saturday morning at Seaman’s Neck Park.

Opening Day began with a parade down Seaman’s Neck Road and Marina Park Drive. Led by the Seaford High School marching band and wrapping up with the Seaford Fire Department, children proudly walked in their clean uniforms.

About 2,000 players, coaches and parents then gathered at the turf baseball field for a ceremony. The marching band played the National Anthem, followed by opening remarks from league President Joe Ippoliti.

Town Supervisor Kate Murray, Councilwoman Erin King Sweeney, town parks Commissioner Joe Bentivegna and retiring concessionaire Faith Gately threw out the ceremonial first pitches. The league honored Gately, who worked the concession stand for 19 years. Both the Little League and Long Island Broncos football league presented her with plaques, jerseys and flowers.

County Legislator Steve Rhoads stressed the importance of team sports in teaching children values needed in life.

“I am happy to say, after a long winter, it is baseball season,” he said.
Congressman Peter King, of Seaford, said both his children played in the league, and that there is no sport like baseball.

This year, there are more than 700 players on about 60 teams. The league is open to boys and girls ages 4 to 17. Games will be played for the next two months at Seaman’s Neck Park, St. William the Abbot School, Washington Avenue Park and Seaford High School.

The season wraps up on June 13 with Championship Day. It will feature championship and all-star games, as well as trophy presentations.