CHAPPAQUA, N.Y. - "Play ball!" The words are shouted before every game but carry a different meaning on Opening Day. They signify the start of a new season, which New Castle little leaguers experienced Saturday morning.
Before taking the field, hundreds of young New Castle baseball and softball players braved the chilly weather and lined up, side-by-side in front of the Community Center on Senter Street, before being led through town by fire department, ambulance and police escorts.
We have close to 1,000 children playing from kindergarten to eighth grade, which is very impressive, said Chris Hildenbrand, president of the New Castle Baseball and Softball Association.
The competition was not restricted to the field Saturday, as teams also competed for the title of best banner. Each team that made a banner showing off their team spirit received a surprise, and the team with the best banner in each division was awarded a pizza party certificate.
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