Burbank Little League Celebrates Opening Day Ceremonies

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By Jim Riggio
Special to BurbankNBeyond

 

Burbank Little League kicked off its 13th season Saturday at Brace Park with its Opening Day ceremonies.

The league will feature 29 teams this season split up over several age divisions in baseball and softball.

The ceremony, which was postponed last weekend due to rain, included well wishes by many in the community.

“I want to quickly welcome everyone out here,” Mayor David Golonski said. “I want to thank the board, the coaches, all the parents and everyone involved in putting this together. This is a great thing for our kids.”

BLLHonored in the ceremony were three All-Star teams from Burbank that won the District 16 titles last season. District 16 President Scott Moro, a Burbank resident, was also on hand to take part in the festivities.

District 16 is comprised of teams from Burbank, Glendale, La Crescenta, La Canada Flintridge and Tujunga.

Burbank honored its 2012 nine and 10-year-old softball team and its 13 and 14-year-old baseball team.

Also honored was the 10 and 11-year-old baseball team, which won for a second year with many of the same players.

Burbank also inducted two new members into its Hall of Fame. Bob Ranney, one of the league’s founders, became the first inductee a year ago.

This year former league president Mike Lockheimer and longtime league official Jim Noud became the second and third to be added to the Hall of Fame.

“From the beginning Jim and Mike have always been with us,” said Ranney. “Jim and Mike have always done whatever needed to be done. At times, Jim has even taken over some teams and helped us with coaching. Mike is the same way. These guys have always opened up their pockets and given everything they can for this league. I can’t say enough about them.”

Burbank Little League President Thomas Magoon also noted that teams from his league also pulled a District 16 sweep in winning titles in the Minors, Majors and Juniors divisions in baseball last season.

The Minor Dukes, Major Cubs and Junior Rays were those teams and were honored by Moro.

“The past few years have been very prosperous,” Moro said of the success of Burbank teams.

Magoon encouraged the players to go out and have fun.

“Let’s get this Little League season started. Some of you little kids have been waiting all week to play some games and we’ll get some games in (Saturday),” Magoon said.

For more information on teams, schedules and game times, please visit the Burbank Little League website at http://www.eteamz.com/BurbankLittleLeague.