Glow in the dark sticks fly in the air and giant inflatable baseballs roll as groups of children wearing baseball uniforms play throughout Bradley Field while “Eye of the Tiger” booms from nearby speakers.
This is the last hour of “A Grand Slam Celebration of Baseball,” the second annual Coronado Little League opening night tailgate to celebrate the start of another season with over 400 families in attendance.
“It gets them excited, it gets them mentally ready, it lets them see all their buddies and get ready for the friendly competition that they have each weekend,” said Chad Nottmeier, manager for the “Dino Nuggets” team. “It’s a nice way to kick things off.”
This year’s event sponsor was 44 Pro, co-founded in 2011 by Randy Habert and his son Brent Habert, a business that prides themselves in affordable and fully customizable gloves.
“It’s really special for us to reconnect with the people who supported us the most, which is the local community,” said Brent Habert. “To come out here and be able to sponsor the little league and just have fun with all the community makes it really special and exciting for all of us.”
Community-wide support
Several local businesses also partnered with the league, including: ImagiDough, 5ive Tool Baseball, Live Nado, Water & Sports Physical Therapy, and Confections of a Navy Wife.
Throughout a night full of baseball festivities, families got a chance to participate in exciting games and activities, including taking pictures in a photo booth, shopping from local businesses, jamming out to the Ballpark DJ, and enjoying snow cones from Kona Ice Truck and food provided by Blue Bridge Hospitality — a continued sponsor of the league.
The highlight of the evening was the hundreds of high fives shared amongst the local high school team, sponsors and CLL board members, whose hands were touched by the players and coaches running through bases as team names were announced.
“I got to run with my team and I like running a lot so I ran as fast as I could,” said one second-grade CLL player who added that his favorite MLB player is Bryce Harper.
“Every year, I look to beat the past year in some extra way that people will never forget,” said Coronado Little League board member Stephanie Dooley. “I’d say this year was an epic hit.”
“Together we are just making a community that loves baseball,” added Dooley.
