Sunday, April 9, 2023

Ashland Little League Holds Opening Day Parade and Ceremony

On Saturday, Ashland Little League held their opening day parade and ceremony.

The events had been delayed a week after last Saturday's rain had turned their Little League field into a pond.

Thankfully, the field dried up and the weather turned out perfect.

The day began in downtown Ashland where the entire roster of Ashland Little League players gathered.  

With the help of the Ashland Police, Ashland Fire Department, Fountain Springs Fire Company and the Washington Ambulance, the players, joined by their coaches, marched up Centre Street to North 17th Street, then to Eureka Park.

During the ceremony, graduating players recognized along with last year's award winners.

Brock Holmes was the 2022 Mark Trautman Award winner. The award is given to the 12-year-old graduating player from the league who best exemplifies the attributes of character, integrity, and sportsmanship. The selection of this player is done by his/her peers (league players) without any input from coaches, parents or other players.

The National Anthem was sung by Kalli Smith of Gordon.

The honor of throwing out the first pitch was given to Kevin Shellhammer.  Shellhamer retired as the District 24 administrator in 2022.