
DATE: Thursday, April 10, 1997              TAG: 9704090200

SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN             PAGE: 06   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: COVER STORY 

                                            LENGTH:   57 lines

PLAY BALL

Homegrown pride prevailed as 53 teams of Little Leaguers and their folks celebrated the opening of Bennett's Creek Little League's 29th season April 4 at Driver.

Mike Conroy, BCLL coach and former Norfolk band leader, sang the national anthem.

Tony Guzzo, head coach of the Old Dominion baseball team, spoke to the crowd, emphasizing the importance of good sportsmanship - for adults as well as children.

The first pitch was tossed by Donte Hall and caught by Jeremy Orell, two members of the league's challenger division for mentally and physically challenged youngsters.

Jessie Mowry, Rebecca Jewett, and Sarah Conroy, all 15 and playing their last season of softball with the league, were recognized as having been a part of the girl's softball league since they were first old enough to play T-ball.

The senior boys all stars were presented with medals in recognition of winning the District 6 championship last year.The senior girls all stars also received medals, recognizing their reign as state champions last season. The girls promptly grabbed their team banner to run the bases together chanting, ``All for one and one for all, together we stand, together we fall, all for one and one for all.''

Joe Barco, the league's president for the last two years, received a plaque for his efforts.

A highlight of the celebration was the installation of lights on the complex's last unlighted field. Money for the lights came from league fundraisers and profits from the concession stand. Employees from Virginia Power volunteered their time and expertise to install the lights.

And over all wafted the delectable aromas from the concession stand. In a nod to good health, the concession is now also offering grilled chicken sandwiches and apples as well as the usual popcorn and fries. There's also a brand new Polish sausage and sauerkraut combination just waiting to be tried.

- Source: Cathy Huband, BCLL president ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos including color cover by MICHAEL KESTNER

Nicholas Sandrock, whose Little League shirt hangs down to his shoe

tops, chats with teammate Shalom Bowers as they wait in line at the

opening night ceremonies for the baseball season on April 4 at the

Driver field.

Ryan Jones, 5, who will play in the Challenger Division, gets some

advice from his sister, Mallorie, 11.

Donte Hall throws out the first pitch of the Bennett's Creek 1997

Little League season during opening ceremonies on April 4.

Three-year-old Alex Robertson gets some pointers from his team

mother Erica Robertson during the formal opening of the Bennett's

Creek Little League season.