Cherry Hill’s American Little League kicked off its season on April 9 with an abundance of players.
“This is the most teams and players we’ve had in years,” said league President Jason Tibbetts of the 66th annual opening-day ceremony at the Little League complex.
Along with players, the ceremony was attended by families, Mayor Susan Shin Angulo, Council President David Fleisher and council members Jennifer Apell and William Carter. It is the only time when all players in the league – including baseball, softball and T-ball players ages 4 to 16 – are gathered.
The event also featured large inflatable games in the parking lot from J-Dogs and tales from sponsors.
While the league was able to continue its sports during the pandemic, this year marked the first opening-day ceremony in a post-COVID setting. The snack bar was open for the first time in two years and families were able to gather on the fields without masks.
During opening remarks, Tibbetts recognized the many volunteers who cleaned up the field the day before the ceremony, as well as those who work to make the league possible throughout the year.
Carin Lehman, daughter-in-law of former player and volunteer Jim Lehman, announced that this year’s winner of a volunteer award named for her late relative is Rich Schweitzer. Like Lehman, Schweitzer is a league board member who has been involved with the league for the last 50 years playing ball; serving as a coach for recreation, district and tournament teams; and creating programs for juniors and seniors.
“Most importantly, just as Jim did, Rich has fostered an atmosphere where players have formed lifelong bonds with each other,” Lehman noted. “Isn’t that a lot of what baseball and softball is about?”
Following the award, a player from each division – or age group – and Shin Angulo threw a ceremonial first pitch to the Chick-Fil-A cow mascot.
This season, coach Tony Meccariaello looks forward to kids getting back to being kids and spending time with each other after the pandemic pause. He is the league secretary, coaching coordinator and coach for 5-to-6-year-olds in the A division.
“So many baseball coaches focus too much on baseball, and I want to focus on fun and kids enjoying the game,” Meccariaello said. “At that age, you’re not training the next (Phillie) Bryce Harper, you’re training a kid to love the game, and that’s what I try to do at that age group.
Jack Dyer, coach for the 12U softball division at the league, agreed.
“We’re just hoping they learn sportsmanship and how to make new friends and continue to love the game and continue to play, even after their little-league season is over,” he said.
To stay up to date with the league, visit https://www.cherryhillamerican.org.
