Batter up for NBNM Little League

More than 800 Bellmore-Merrick children recently heard the phrase that they have awaited for months after a bitterly cold, snowy winter –– "play ball."

The North Bellmore-North Merrick Little League celebrated opening day on April 12. Festivities included a parade through North Bellmore streets to Gunther Field, with players and their families rejoicing in the return of the spring sports season.

Several town and county elected leaders stopped by to greet ballplayers. Norma Gonsalves, presiding officer of the Nassau County Legislature, said she looks forward to the celebration every year. “It serves as the unofficial kickoff of the spring season,” she said, “and is a great event to showcase an organization that does so many wonderful things for the children of North Bellmore and North Merrick.”

The North Bellmore-North Merrick Little League has T-ball, baseball and softball divisions. Michael Lechleider is the league’s chairman of the board, while Chris Pekoff is the president.