Play ball

WARWICK — The annual Warwick Little League parade and ceremonies took place on Saturday, April 6, under bright sun and clear blue skies.
The traditional parade, led by an American Legion color guard and local officials, headed down Main Street and then to the ball fields at Veterans Memorial Park for ceremonies to celebrate the opening of the 2019 baseball season.
This year the Little League Board of Directors also invited Beautiful People, whose mission is "to build bridges between children with disabilities and their families and the broader community of Orange County by providing adaptive sports for children and young adults, age five and up."
Following the recitation of the Little League and Parent Pledges, Warwick Valley High School senior Daniel Brenner gave a beautiful rendition of our National anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner."
Another talented senior, William Theodore Odell, then sang "God Bless America."
Both high school students received well-deserved rounds of applause
League Parade Chair Barry Cheney served as emcee for the day and introduced the elected officials present.
Continuing an annual tradition, Supervisor Michael Sweeton tossed in the first softball to Penny Bieling and Mayor Michael Newhard threw out the first baseball to catcher Joseph Sanzone.
During that event Warwick Little League President, Rich DiCostanzo introduced Coach Junio Acosta, who told a touching story about one of his young players, Jayden Obregon, 11, who had a serious heart condition last year and thankfully received a successful heart transplant.
Obregon was given the honor of tossing in one of the first balls of the season to catcher Justin Acosta and was then presented with a gift package by DiCostanzo.
Town Park Field Supervisor Roger Showalter spoke about his longtime friend, the late Orange County Legislator Ben Winstanley, who opened the season each year.
Showalter repeated Winstanley's annual order by shouting, "Play ball!"
All the players, parents and guests then headed over to the food concession stand for hot dogs and other refreshments served by Little League volunteers.
Warwick Resource Group Sanford Insurance donated a portion of the expense to offer free hot dogs to the players.