Lower Gwynedd Little League Prepares for Opening Ceremony

The Lower Gwynedd Little League will hold its 55th opening ceremony Saturday, starting at 9 a.m.

The ceremony will take place at Ingersoll Field, located at Wister Road and Penllyn Pike, in Penllyn, and will feature over 600 youth baseball and softball youth players proudly participating in what has long been known as America’s favorite pastime.

“It’s the largest we’ve ever had,” Jay Gelman, Lower Gwynedd Little League president, said. “Baseball is the all-American sport, we’re trying to get every kid out there to play baseball. We’re really trying to keep the tradition going.”

He added the idea behind the tradition is simply to keep kids active outdoors and interacting with their community neighbors.

At the Lower Gwynedd Little League opening day ceremonies, at least 1,200 community members and parents of the players are expected to come out to witness as the participating youth players parade around the baseball diamond, ushering in the new season. Helping to do so will be members of the Wissahickon High school choir, who will sing the National Anthem.

This year, the ceremonies will also include a special recognition of the league’s 13-14-year old baseball players who won Junior Tournament Team District 22 Championships last year.

Also in attendance, will be several local dignitaries, including members of the township board of supervisors, state representative Kate Harper, Montgomery County Controller Stewart Greenleaf Jr., as well as a special guest appearance by the Phillie Phanatic.

Gelman, who has been president of the league for the last four years, said that the league has been growing ever since. He credits the growth to both the dozens of dedicated volunteers, as well as returning local sponsors, both groups of whom will also be recognized at the opening ceremony event.

“It’s a community event,” Gelman said. “We’re proud of that.”

The first pitch of the 55th Lower Gwynedd Little League season is scheduled for 11:30 a.m.

According to Gelman, the league is always looking for interested volunteers and sponsors.

For more information, visit the Lower Gwynedd Little League website or contact league president Jay Gelman at 610-513-4400 or jaydg@erols.com.