Photos: Opening Day for Sierra Madre Little League

Honking horns, nostalgic music and the cheers of kids filled the air around Heasley Field Saturday morning for Sierra Madre's Opening Day celebration for Little League baseball.

Trucks packed with balloons, streamers, signs and, of course, players rolled down Sierra Madre Boulevard to show off all of the Little League teams and to absorb support from parents, baseball fans and residents walking the sidewalks. The colorful baseball caravan then pulled into to park in front of the field, where everyone gathered for the opening day festivities.

Little League President Steve Tanner addressed the crowd and took the time to thank all volunteers and Public Works, especially when the windstorm took its toll on the field months ago.

"You may not realize this, but all the dirt you see on the field here didn't exist until about two weeks ago," he told the crowd. "It all got blown away." Tanner also mentioned that the scoreboard was tilted at a 45-degree angle, and fences were blown out of place.

But the field was certainly in good enough shape to handle 22 teams and 251 registered players, according to Tanner. He was joined by City Councilwoman Nancy Walsh and John Capoccia, a candidate for city council who also used to volunteer with Little League. Cappoccia said his youth baseball experiences still have a special connection with him.

"I've got tears in my eyes just standing here and looking at the crowd, how beautiful the field is with the backdrop of the mountains ... this is one of the gems of Sierra Madre," he said. "(My son) played all the way through tee ball through Pony League, and he met a lot of friend that he didn't go to school with that he only knows through Little League. He's still great friends with those kids today, they've gone off to college and now they've come back and all integrated even with each other's college friends. They'll be friends for life."

Matt Young, a former Major League pitcher who racked up 857 strikeouts during his career in the 80s and early 90s, started playing tee-ball in Sierra Madre's Little League during his childhood. He was also Saturday morning's guest speaker, tailoring his speech with messages directed at players, parents and coaches. He stressed to the players the value of hustle as well as being a good teammate, which meant helping your teammates get better. 

For coaches, he stressed the need to be perpetually supportive. He coached Little League himself, and he said that carries a sizable responsibility.

"You don't always know what's going on with these kids at home," he said. "One rule I try to live by is that I don't want to be the reason one of my players doesn't sign up for baseball next year."

And for parents, he had this message: Cheer.

"Cheer for both teams," he said. "I have never ever seen a professional scout come and scout a 12-year-old for the big leagues. So keep that in perspective. They're out there to have fun. They don't need parents screaming at the top of their voices, 'Strike him out!' You know what I mean."

Young wrapped up his speech, and then proceeded to toss a perfect opening day pitch.