Johnston Little League holds Opening Day

It was baseball, hot dogs and traditions unlimited last weekend in Johnston.

Although there was no apple pie to include in that ageless adage, the Johnston Little League boys’ baseball division and girls’ softball program staged back-to-back opening day ceremonies last weekend that featured a taste of Americana at its best.

There were kids armed with more enthusiasm than a rookie making his Major League Baseball debut.

There was more pomp and circumstance than you’d find at a League Championship Series or World Series.

There were dignitaries from all levels of government, headed by United States Senator Jack Reed who is – and always has been – a frequent visitor and participant in countless Johnston-based events.

There were different weather twists, with JLL opening Saturday despite rain that created puddles inside Johnston War Memorial Park that Parks and Recreation staffers used powerful air blowers to make sure parade participants didn’t have to walk through puddles to get to famed Kennedy Field.

There were special speeches – from Mayor Joseph Polisena to Parks and Recreation chief Dan Mazzulla to League Presidents Ed Bedrosian and Lisa Calabro to State Little League Director Ed Pesaturo.

Perhaps the shortest and most important message, though, was when Polisena shouted “Play Ball” after giving an inspirational keynote address during the Johnston Little League’s annual opening.

Last weekend’s opening day ceremonies, though, focused on families and fun and the fact that people like Mazzulla have been part of the fabric for more than a half century.

“I played in this (Little League) 50 years ago,” Mazzulla offered while supervising the puddle removing crew. “I’ve been the (Parks and Recreation) Director for 30 years; but this day is always special and it should be that way for our children.”

Like Polisena and Johnston State Sen. Frank Lombardo, Mazzulla thanked the sponsors for their on-going generous support and stressed sportsmanship and to win with grace regardless of whether you win or lose.

That fact surfaced during both of the classic ceremonies, especially when a small group of players recited their program’s Sportsmanship Pledge.

Although he hasn’t been around for quite as long as Mazzulla when it comes to Johnston sports, Bedrosian – who is in his 11th season as JLL’s president – enjoyed a heart-warming moment when his daughter, Alycia Bedrosian-Zagaglia, delivered a powerful rendition of the National Anthem.

And, as tradition has it, Bedrosian-Zagaglia has been a fixture at JLL Opening Days for 15 years, singing the Star Spangled Banner that dates back to her pre-high school years.

There was yet another special guest who participated – silently – at the boys’ baseball and girls’ softball opening day ceremonies.

Mike Knipper, Head of Property/Executive Vice President at Citizens Bank, helped make each program’s opening special by making sure each and every player received a water bottle that featured the corporation’s logo.

“Citizens colleagues are excited about becoming part of the community of Johnston,” said Knipper. “We are committing to helping out in the town whenever possible and we thank the town for its partnership.”

Ever since Citizens Bank announced it would build a multi-million dollar campus in Johnston, its officials and employees like Melisa Dumaine – who was on hand at both openings – have participated in numerous events as a show of how supportive of a neighbor the corporation will be.

Polisena, in fact, issued a town-wide welcome to Citizens Bank prior to having the honor of throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.