A LITTLE SUNSHINE, PROFESSOR
NEW BRITAIN -- The day dawned in typical fashion -- overcast, dank and dreary.
Finally, at 9 a.m., the sun peeked through the cloud cover and spread a little warmth over New Britain Stadium. The Rock Cats would open their season after sleet and rain washed away the scheduled opener on Thursday.
The grandstands filled up quickly as school buses streamed through the Willow Brook parking lot like they were on parade. Not a seat was to be had. Enthusiastic youngsters -- New Britain's finest -- exuberantly celebrated a day of baseball ... or was it just to get out of the classroom? I may be old but I haven't forgotten.
Children from Chamberlain School held up a two-sided sign, one side proclaiming their school spirit and they other urging on the home team. Sure they were in winter coats, and yes they had blankets wrapped around their shoulders, but the warmth that the atmosphere exuded cut through the cold.
It shouldn't take attentive New Britainites long to discern who played "The Star-Spangled Banner." The Golden Hurricanes Marching Band performed their always stirring rendition of the anthem.
Mayor Tim Stewart, as expected due to his obvious athleticism, officially got the season underway with a ceremonial-first-pitch strike.
Veteran Eastern Leaguer Wayne Lydon stepped to the plate, and the world's greatest game was again off and running in the state's best sports city. Again the sun peeked through as if to say, "It truly is springtime and despite all the world's troubles, it's great to be alive and at a ballgame."
Finally, at 9 a.m., the sun peeked through the cloud cover and spread a little warmth over New Britain Stadium. The Rock Cats would open their season after sleet and rain washed away the scheduled opener on Thursday.
The grandstands filled up quickly as school buses streamed through the Willow Brook parking lot like they were on parade. Not a seat was to be had. Enthusiastic youngsters -- New Britain's finest -- exuberantly celebrated a day of baseball ... or was it just to get out of the classroom? I may be old but I haven't forgotten.
Children from Chamberlain School held up a two-sided sign, one side proclaiming their school spirit and they other urging on the home team. Sure they were in winter coats, and yes they had blankets wrapped around their shoulders, but the warmth that the atmosphere exuded cut through the cold.
It shouldn't take attentive New Britainites long to discern who played "The Star-Spangled Banner." The Golden Hurricanes Marching Band performed their always stirring rendition of the anthem.
Mayor Tim Stewart, as expected due to his obvious athleticism, officially got the season underway with a ceremonial-first-pitch strike.
Veteran Eastern Leaguer Wayne Lydon stepped to the plate, and the world's greatest game was again off and running in the state's best sports city. Again the sun peeked through as if to say, "It truly is springtime and despite all the world's troubles, it's great to be alive and at a ballgame."
posted by Ken Lipshez at
10:08 AM
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