APRIL 30 - The Brookline Little League kicked off their 61st season with the annual parade along Brookline Boulevard to Brookline Park. The weather for opening day was sunny and bright, perfect for a ballgame. Some of the region's familiar mascots, The McDonald's Hamburgler and Grimace, the Washington Wild Thing and the Rita's Italian Ice Cup, were on hand to help celebrate our national pastime have some fun with the kids.

After the parade, the players were treated to snacks while the mascots judged the many bright and colorful team banners. It was a difficult decision. All of the banners looked great, but in the end only three could take a prize. This year's 1st Place winner was Brookline Pub, followed closely by Steeltown Sportswear and Rita's Italian Ice.

After the parade festivities ended it was time for a day of ballgames, but first a special dedication was made to a man who spent 33 years with the Brookline Little League. Angelo Masullo Sr was a BLLA coach and past-president, and a mentor to the many kids who knew him, from 1967 to 1999. Big Ange passed away in 2005. The bronze plaque on the BLLA Wall of Fame is a nice tribute to his enduring spirit of service and devotion to the league.

And now it's time to play ball. Good luck to all of the teams. Remember the time-honored tradition, taught to us old-timers by Ange Masullo, the coach who made us work hard on our skills oh so many summers ago: Hard Work Makes Winners.

Have a great season everyone!

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* Photos provided by Clint Burton *