THE MELROSE Little League kicked off their season on Saturday, April 28 at Lewis Monk Field during their Opening Day Parade of Players.

Published in the May 4, 2018 edition.

MELROSE—It was a brilliant, sunny day for the 2018 Melrose Little League Opening Day Parade of Players on Saturday, April 28. Over 500 players, parents & volunteers marched from Memorial Hall to Lewis Monk Field to kick off the season.

Mayor Gail Infurna was on hand to throw out the first pitch of the season and say the magic words, “Play Ball!” State Rep. Paul Brodeur was also in attendance, as were Aldermen Mike Zwirko, Shawn McMaster, Peter Mortimer, Frank Wright, Monica Medeiros, & John Tramantozzi.

Saturday’s parade was preceded by a rainy week in Melrose. Melrose Little League would like to thank the efforts of John Scenna, Peter Pietrantonio, & the crew at the Melrose DPW, as well as Joan Bell at the Melrose Park Departments. The DPW & Park Dept do such a great job year in and year out, making the Melrose baseball fields the best in all of District 12 Little League.

Melrose Little League would also like to thank sponsors Brueggers Bagels and Honey Dew Donuts of Melrose for providing refreshments for our players, parents and volunteers. Also deserving thanks for contributing to a successful day were professional photographer Katie Recinito for capturing so many great moments of the parade. Kudos to 12 year-old Major Division player Liam Thompson for reciting the Little League Player Pledge, and to long time coach and board member Tim Donohue for reciting the Little League Coaches Pledge.

Melrose Little League christened a new award at this year’s parade. From this year forward, the volunteer of the year will receive the Leo & Lori Siciliano Family Award for Volunteerism. Leo Siciliano was a long time supporter and fundraiser for Little League baseball in Melrose. After Leo’s passing in 2014, his wife Lori continued Leo’s great legacy, and has been an integral part of our league for many years. The first recipient of this new award as volunteer of the year was long time coach, administrator and ambassador of Little League baseball in Melrose, Attorney Lou Izzi.

Thanks to the hard work of dozens of hard working coaches, parents, and volunteers, the day went off without a hitch. The parade and on-field ceremony was a great way to welcome spring and kick off another year of Little League Baseball in Melrose.