Hillsborough Baseball League kicked off its 60th season Saturday with traditional opening ceremonies.
HBL Board President Ed Porowski opened the event by reminiscing about life in 1955, when a baseball glove cost less than $10. That same year, Hillsborough organized its first little league charter.
A lot of things have changed over the past 60 years, except for the mission of HBL — that all children deserve the opportunity to play baseball.
Mr. Porowski introduced Mayor Doug Tomson, who spoke about his time as a youngster in the league, as well as members of the HBL Board of Directors and team sponsors.
On hand to throw out first pitches were representatives from some of HBL’s sponsors: Newell Strength (thrown by Kyle Newell), DecTech Associates (thrown by Brady Porter), Cooper Brothers Tire (by Aiden Cooper), Roman Gourmet (by Dennis Astrapeukin), ATA Martial Arts (by Master Jorge Lee), Day Spa at Hair Plus (by Donna Cutts), Mailboxes Business Center (by Matt Schorr), HRC Fitness (Sean Fagen), Great American Sealcoat (by Tyler Smeltz).
Mayor Tomson threw the final first pitch.
Mr. Porowski thanked the crowd for joining opening-day ceremonies. With that, those present yelled the two words that everyone present has been waiting for since the close of last season — “Play Ball!”
