940f02d599bb757326ab2d487f929f72.jpg

MANVILLE: Ballplayers begin newest season

By Mary Ellen Zangara, Special Writer
   It was not quite baseball weather Saturday it seemed more like football season but that did not stop the players and coaches of the Manville Youth Athletic League from holding their opening day ceremony at Lincoln Park in Lost Valley.
   Teams gathered for the traditional start of the season with the jackets, hats and gloves — not all baseball equipment, though. Even though the rain held out at least for the beginning of the day, some of the teams were able to play about two innings before the rains came.
   There were three games Saturday. The two 9-10 year old teams were playing each other, the two 11-12 year olds and the 6-8 year olds. The 13-15 year olds were playing Middlesex, weather permitting.
   MYAL has seven teams for ages 6-15 for the Junior Pony League. Volunteers barbequed hot dogs as the teams waited.
   MYAL President John Bentz hopes to have a great season for all players.
   ”I want to wish all the ball players this year good luck,” he said. “Unfortunately the weather is a little dreary today and it is more like football weather to start a baseball season. The kids are out and they are having fun.
   ”It was a good opening day. We had the parents come down for the kids and we took pictures today. I just wish it would cooperate with the weather a little more.”
   Mr. Bentz had a few words of gratitude to express. “I would like to thank Greg Snyder, Katie and Ken Schaefer for their help in the pre-season to get everything going,” he said.