The 2011 West Sac Little League parade on March 19.
One of the joys of spring in my neighborhood – in addition to the flowers blooming and hay fever (oh, well maybe not that) – is the annual parade that marks the opening day of the West Sacramento Little League. Fortunately for me, the parade has motored right by my front door since I moved here in the 1990s. It usually occurs on a Saturday morning about 10 a.m. around the time of year we make the switch to daylight savings time – March or early April. This year it was held last Saturday, March 19.
Even though I don’t have a child or grandchild who plays Little League, I thoroughly enjoy watching the kids of all ages – from little five-year-olds to larger teens – dressed in their uniforms and throwing candy to me from the back of a pick-up truck or trailer lovingly decorated to honor their teams. The kids are all so excited and love it when we wave to them and catch their jawbreakers, Tootsie Rolls and Double Bubbles. (Though most of it becomes inedible as it winds up in the dirt or smashed to bits by a car). And rain doesn’t stop them, as evidenced by this year’s appearance.
Several of the Little League team names crack me up. Some represent real major league teams: Phillies, Giants, Dodgers, Red Socks and A’s. Others take on minor league names such as our own hometown Rivercats, Knights, Bulls, Grasshoppers and Iron Pigs (yes, it’s the Phillies minor league team in Pennsylvania). But other team names are obvious creations with input from children: Hot Rods, Sea Dogs, Volcanoes, Blue Claws, Lugnuts and Sand Gnats (well they do bite!).
Hmmm...I'm guessin' she's with the Blue Claws.
The parade wends through the neighborhood and winds up at Memorial Park on Delaware Street for opening day pitches and games. This year, the games were cancelled. But that didn’t stop the band from playing the Star-Spangled Banner, which I could hear in the distance from my home, and the opening pitch from being thrown. Hope everyone has a fun season. Check out the links to a slide show of opening day and the parade at West Sac Web. Love the baseball songs that accompany the images, including John Fogerty’s “Centerfield,” Trace Adkins “Swing” and Bruce Springsteen’s “Glory Days.”
Play ball!
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Those are all team names. The Hot Rods, Sand Gnats, Sea Dogs, Blue Claws are all actually MlB minor league affiliate team names. For A AA teams for each West Sacramento Little League division the team is named from a coresponding team
Pretty good names aren’t they!
Nice to hear positive comments about the parade instead of complaints.
Thanks David for the clarification!! Yes they are wonderful team names and keep up the good work at Little League and with the parade.