Española Little League Celebrates Opening Day Saturday

Members from all the teams pose with Joe Ortega for opening day pictures. VDP photo

Española Little League Celebrates Opening Day Saturday

ESPAÑOLA — Over 40 teams and 600 children signed up for Little League Baseball and softball this year with almost all of them attending Saturday’s opening ceremony at the Lucero Center fields. Kicking off the season by throwing out the first ceremonial pitches for both softball and baseball was Mayor Alice Lucero and City Councilor Corey Lewis.

Saturday’s opening ceremonies finished and the league moved straight into the first games of the season as the Española Little League began a season of over 350 games for the various leagues ranging from T-Ball all the way up to Little League majors baseball and softball.

League President Joe Ortega was happy with the health of Española’s Little League saying “This season is fantastic. We have over 600 kids, 80 more than last year.” Ortega attributed the growth in the league to a great atmosphere and the coaches for the welcoming and supporting way they run their teams. “The coaches are doing a fantastic job.” Ortega said, adding that all adults working with the children are volunteers with the exception of paid umpires.

David and Sheila Archuleta of Chamita attended Saturday’s opening ceremonies to support several of their family members. The couple have both a son and grandson who coach two different teams and four other grandchildren who play on three teams.

The opening ceremonies ended with each of the attending teams running the bases and Ortega saying “Let’s play ball!”

The cost for a child to join a team and play in the league is $60 or $30 per child if a family signs up two or more children. All proceeds generated by league registration and concession sales go back into the nonprofit organization and are used to support league activities for the children.

See below for some more images from opening day.