Opening day – take me out to the ballpark

Lisa Kunz

05/08/2008 - CRRAAACK! There is something about hearing that sound when the bat meets the ball. And there is something even better about hearing that sound at 9,200 feet. It may be that the sound is just clearer here in the mountains. It may be that there is still snow on the ground and that sound is proof positive that spring may truly be just around the corner. Or, it may just be the sound of what is to come in the months ahead.

  Gilpin County Little League started practice last week and will celebrate Opening Day on May 17th at the Gilpin County baseball park, just north of the Gilpin Recreation Center. To make this event a memorable one, Gilpin County Little League has planned a full day of activities.

  Volunteers and parents will decorate the fields as the concession hosts begin to cook what will surely become for some, the first of many hot dogs consumed this summer. On hand this year, just to make sure there are is plenty to do for all ages, there will be a face painter and a balloon maker. The National Anthem will be sung by a student from Gilpin County School.

  Little League in Gilpin County, a part of Little League International, has been here as long as most can remember. One long-time resident has been involved so long in fact that one field has been named after him-Weber Field. Fred Weber has seen his children through Gilpin Little League, then saw his grandchild through the program and still today coaches both the Gilpin County Middle School baseball team and the Little League Junior baseball team. The other field, on which Little League plays, Elk Field, is named after the Central City Elks Club that has contributed both monies and time to the program.  

  The first game of the day will be at 9:00 a.m. with the t-ball team vs. Idaho Springs. There is hope that Clear Creek will bring “The Big Red Bus” to Opening Day. Last year the bus was there for Opening Day and they provided not only the P.A. system for the announcers, but also cotton candy, snow cones and popcorn for the baseball fans. The bus is a testament to how much a community can rally around a sports program designed for the youth of its community.

  The rest of the day is chock full of games. Coach Pitch and Minors at 11:00, Juniors at 12:00, Minors at 1:00, Majors at 3:00, with the final game at 5:00 (Juniors). If the sun should peak from behind the clouds on Opening Day, or we have an afternoon shower, the new dugout covers will keep the players out of the sun and rain.

  During the season (shortened due to the late arrival of baseball weather in Gilpin) the teams will play between 11 and 15 games each. The competition doesn’t stop then however. Each team has a chance to go to the All Star Game (equivalent to the State Tournament) which in turn, with a win, could advance the team toward the ultimate goal of playing in the Little League World Series game. A lofty goal some may say, but one which all Little League players dare to dream.

  As the sun goes down and the players head home - win or lose, on their minds is the anticipation of another game on another day. Watch the youth activity calendar in the Gilpin County News for the dates and time of upcoming Little League games.