Broadneck's Ready to Play Ball

The Broadneck Baseball & Softball Club’s festive opening day ceremonies were held this weekend at Broadneck High School. Described by the organization as a “morning of fun for all ages,” ball players and their families enjoyed hours of sports-themed activities and entertainment that culminated with the annual coaches and players parade into the BHS stadium.

Up until four years ago, the Broadneck Peninsula was home to three separate baseball/softball programs:  Mago Vista, Broadneck, and Cape St. Claire. The communities decided that by merging together and becoming the Broadneck Baseball & Softball Club, they could offer the participants a better playing experience and, in the process, eliminate the confusion families had over which program their child should use.

“By creating a larger program, we were able to give each age group more teams to compete against and eliminate the need for the players to compete against the same team numerous times during the season,” explained David Stephens. “Since these kids are all going to end up at Broadneck High School together, why shouldn’t they be playing ball together?”

The four-year-olds start with T-Ball and progress through levels until they are 17 and have the option of playing on select and traveling teams. The club also offers batting, pitching and throwing clinics, an eight-year-old Kid Pitch Division and the annual home run derby.

BBSC has registered 750 athletes so far this spring, and it looked like they all turned out with their families to participate in the Opening Day festivities. The Oriole Bird and Baysox mascot Louie were there signing autographs and posing for pictures as the Chick-Fil-A Cow mingled with the crowd.

The older kids (or their parents) could test their skill at “speed pitch” or “hitting for distance.” There was also a popular "Pitch, Hit and Run" competition. For the young athlete, there was face painting, a clown making balloon art, and other pitching and hitting opportunities.

Mason Wilson, a five-year old T-Ball player, could be found scaling a 30-foot mobile rockwall that was provided by the Big Vanilla Athletic Club. With a little help from the bilayer, he almost reached the top.

Mason’s parents, Dawn and Carl, said, “Mason is really looking forward to being on the Raptor’s Team and playing his first game of the season.”

BBSC President Bob LaRussa said of the day's festivities, “Most of all, we want our players to have fun.”

It looks like mission accomplished. The 2011 season is off to an exciting start.