The Pendleton Jr. Baseball/Softball parade makes it way along High Street from East Street to Main Street on Saturday.
Scott Slade | The Times-Post
Kyle Brown pulls son Gavin, 5, along the Pendleton Jr. Baseball/Softball parade on their way to the Sports Complex, where Gavin would play with the Joyner Home T-balll team.
Scott Slade | The Times-Post
Tre Jackson, prepares to catch some candy being tossed his way during the Pendleton Jr. Baseball/Softball parade on Saturday. Jackson’s daughter Amiya, 7, and sonAlijah, 8, play in the league.
Scott Slade | The Times-Post
Pendleton Jr. Baseball/Softball parade turns the corner at Main and State streets on Saturday, en route to the Sports Complex for opening day.
Scott Slade | The Times-Post
A team in Pendleton Jr. Baseball/Softball parade engage with a group of spectators on State Street.
Scott Slade | The Times-Post
Pendleton Jr. Baseball/Softball past president Todd Miller throws the ceremonial first pitch to Cal Fesler at the Sports Complex on Saturday.
Scott Slade | The Times-Post
Pendleton Jr. Baseball/Softball past president Todd Miller throws the ceremonial first pitch to Cal Fesler at the Sports Complex on Saturday.
Scott Slade | The Times-Post
Lucas Semon gets a hit iin the opening at-bat in one of the first games played (Remax Legacy vs. The Growing Place, 8-9 minors) during Pendleton Jr. Baseball/Softball’s opening day on Saturday.
Scott Slade | The Times-Post
Pendleton Jr. Baseball/Softball’s parade starts at East Street turning onto High Street on Saturday, starting its circuitous route through town on the way to the Sports Complex.
Scott Slade | The Times-Post
Andi Brown gets a big hug from granddaughter Rowan Bartels, who ran out of the parade to greet her.
Scott Slade | The Times-Post
Deanne Skrzyniarz waves to son Deacon, 6, as the teams file into the Sports Complex during Pendleton Jr. Baseball/Softball’s opening day on Saturday.
Scott Slade | The Times-Post
The crowd at the Sports Complex surround the flagpole during the National Anthem.
Scott Slade | The Times-Post
Pendleton Jr. Baseball/Softball teams make their way along Falls Park Drive to the Sports Complex during the parade on Saturday.
Scott Slade | The Times-Post
All the teams surround the main diamond in the Sports Complex in advance of opening ceremonies, including the ceremonial first pitch.
Scott Slade | The Times-Post
Bayleigh Kimm, Natalie Correa and Raelynn North, members of the Remax Legacy 7-8 team, pass the time waiting for the start of softball action on Pendleton Jr. Baseball/Softball opening day Saturday at the Sports Complex.
Scott Slade | The Times-Post
Rob Karst, one of the Seal Timberworks rookie team coaches, pitches to Lucas Pulfer, during warm up drills.
Scott Slade | The Times-Post
Legacy Remax and The Growing Place 8-9 minors baseball teams play one of the first games during Pendleton Jr. Baseball/Softball opening day on Saturday at the Sports Complex.
Scott Slade | The Times-Post
Pendleton Junior Baseball/Softball opens season with parade, 30 games in one day
PENDLETON — The candy thrown during a parade in Pendleton on Saturday morning might have been traveling farther and faster than during your average parade.
That’s because the arms tossing it belong to players of Pendleton Junior Baseball/Softball, during the league’s opening day festivities.
“It’s up this year,” league President Brandon Godbey said of participation numbers, estimating about 900 players signed up to play ball this season. That represents an increase of about 150 players compared to last year, he said.
The league has 60 teams comprised of boys ages 5-15 and girls ages 5-18. It also includes the Pendleton Arabians travel teams and the Champions League for players with mixed abilities.
On Saturday morning, players and coaches paraded through town, starting at 10 a.m. at Pendleton Elementary School-Intermediate, following a route along High, Main and State streets, Pendleton Avenue and Falls Park Drive and into the Sports Complex.
The parade route was lined with people most of the way, with crowds getting denser at the entrance to Falls Park and again at the complex.
Once inside the complex, PJBS celebrated its opening ceremonies — including the first pitch from immediate past president Todd Miller to player Cal Fesler.
Teams gathered in the outfield along the grass line of Diamond No. 2 to watch the first pitch and listen to words from Godbey.
He shared a personal story about the death of his nephew, Jake Godbey, last year at age 25, and how some of the friends Jake made playing baseball, starting with T-ball, came to the funeral. Several were pallbearers.
“It reminded me of what it’s all about,” Godbey said, asking everyone to go out and have fun, compete, but remember the importance of friendship and sportsmanship.
After ceremonies, there was about 45 minutes before games started at noon. All eight of the complex’s diamonds were used during the day.
Godbey said 30 games were scheduled for Saturday among various levels: coach’s pitch, rookie, minor and major.
Travel play began in March. Champions League begins play Saturday, May 4. There’s a Senior level that starts May 18.
PJBS games will be played through the end of June, when the season wraps up with a tournament, Godbey said.
Play doesn’t stop then for everyone, though, he said. There’s a smaller fall league for those who want to play on.
On Saturday, the final game didn’t end until after 11 p.m., Godbey said.
Opening day creates a lot of good memories, he said, and is possible thanks to a lot of hard work and dedication.
“The whole community pulls together,” he said. “I think that’s what also makes it special.”