SEQUIM — Play ball!
Sequim Little League held its 2022 season opening ceremony and a first round of 13 games on Saturday, March 26, as about 300 players divided into 25 teams — in T-ball, Machine/coach pitch, minors, majors, intermediate and seniors baseball, and minors, majors and seniors softball divisions — took to Don Knapp Field at James Standard Park.
About 750 people attended the ceremony. In all, 315 children signed up for Sequim Little League this year, up from 245 last year, league officials said.
In 2019, the league numbered 223 players, and the 2020 season was canceled because of COVID-19.
“Saturday proved our hard work and dedication means something,” said League President Nick Simpson. “I have never seen that many people out at … Dr. James Standard Park and Sequim Little League.
“It felt like the whole town was there and that is exactly what we were going for. We have a lot of big things coming in the future and hope to share it with as many people as we can.”
Each team, clad in their new uniforms, jogged in through a gate made of purple, black and silver balloons to the applause of the crowd.
Other elements of the ceremony included the children and their guardians swearing separate oaths, Azlynn Judd, Lucy Spelker, Nevaeh Owens and Patience Edwards singing the “Star Spangled Banner,” and the opening pitch thrown by Grant Young and caught by Logan White. A tribute was paid to White’s grandfather, Rick.
“Grandpa Rick was a dedicated husband, grandfather, volunteer and friend who never asked for anything except a key to unlock the gates at the fields so he could mow the park,” said Nick Simpson, the master of ceremonies for Saturday’s events.
Simpson delivered an official thank-you to Brody and Jerene Broker of the Brody Broker Team.
Last year, the company purchased and donated a getaway at Great Wolf Lodge, for which the youths sold $20 raffle tickets and raised $16,000 in just three weeks.
Sequim Little League used the funds to replace four of the park’s five scoreboards, replacing the fifth with other monies.
The scoreboard at the Don Knapp field was turned on for the first time to applause and cheers.
“[The fundraiser] was so successful that this year we donated three [trips to Great Wolf Lodge],” Brody Broker later said. The Brokers have four children playing for the first time.
Broker said that broker Erin Owens, “suggested this was a great opportunity to help an organization doing a lot of good for area children. We found that the LL Community in Sequim passionately cares about providing recreation and learning for the children in our community.”
After the ceremony, children crowded around League Secretary Jessica Simpson as she handed out 350 hot dogs.
More food was sold at the snack bar, Krispy Kreme Donuts were sold as a fundraiser and past years’ uniforms were given away free. A pitching speed contest was held at the batting cages.
Official Little League photographer Dewi Sprague was everywhere documenting the event and Max Wilson of Bear Mountain Media filmed for Brody Broker.
The first T-ball games of the season started at noon, with four games played simultaneously in one field.
Coal Seamands hit the first ball of the majors baseball season. Seamands, 12, has been playing for seven years.
“The Little League people have been working really hard,” said Tim Oase, who came to watch his son coach the game.
“It’s awesome to see the turnout.”
Oase said he coached his son in Little League and he is happy to see the tradition continue.
According to league representatives, 15 people have been preparing for opening day since Jan. 1, and 25 people volunteered on Saturday.
About 110 people volunteer to make Sequim Little League possible for the children.
“Incredible is really the only word that would describe the day for me,” Simpson said. “Hard work pays off. The way the community came together and showed love, dedication and loyalty was paramount to our program.”
“I have been volunteering for Sequim Little League since 2014,” said Nick Simpson. “The multiple opportunities in different volunteer positions have always shown its challenges. However, the sport, the people and the kids make coming back year after year worth the effort. This program has taught me what real passion is. I’m all in.
“Our Board of Directors is one for the ages. Everyone has a specific job and everyone is as diligent as the next. Our entire team is devoted to the safety, development and high level of fun. The Board of Directors should be very proud for what they accomplish year after year.”
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Emily Matthiessen is a reporter with the Olympic Peninsula News Group, which is composed of Sound Publishing newspapers Peninsula Daily News, Sequim Gazette and Forks Forum. Reach her at emily.matthiessen@sequimgazette.com.
