New Little League season commences

by Peter Jakey, Managing Editor

?It?s time to play ball!? said honorary co-grand marshal Mike Darga before a palette of uniforms on Saturday, at the culmination of opening day festivities, which featured a parade and a celebration of a couple?s contributions to the program over the years. Earlier, the players and coaches marched from the Grambau Center to the opening ceremony at Little League Park.

The colorful procession of players snaked through the streets of Rogers City until arriving at the fields, where they entered the center field gate of the ______ Field and lined up along the infield/outfield grass.

GRAND MARSHALS Mike and Judy Darga joined Little League queen Sara Brege and court members Brooke Daniels and Makenna Fessler, on the pitcher?s mound, as master of ceremonies Karla Grambau introduced Bob Centala, 81, who sang the national anthem. Before turning the microphone over to Centala, Grambau said, ?There?s been many young kids just like you, that played on this field, that have gone on to serve our country, in either Iraq or Afghanistan, or somewhere around the world. So, we want to keep all of those people, and everybody serving our country, in our thoughts.?

Grambau thanked the team sponsors, Little League officers, coaches and umpires, and asked for an extra round of applause for the parents, ?For bringing you to practice, coming to watch you play in the games and everything they do.? GRAMBAU SAID Little League officials couldn?t have picked two better people to lead the festivities.

?Mike started playing baseball in 1965,? said Grambau. ?You look at some of the shortest kids here, that?s how Mike was in 1965. ?Mike was a very good player and a very good sport, even at that age. Mike started coaching in 1988 until 2007.? Mike also volunteered as an umpire and assisted his son, t

he late Tony Darga, with a softball team that played in the state finals. ?Of course, none of that could be possible without Judy always being a strong supporter,? said Grambau. ?When the Little League pledge says ?I trust in God, I love my country, I will respect its laws, I will play fair, and strive to win, but win or lose, I will always do my best? — I can think of Mike and Judy Darga, because that?s who they are. ?Mike and Judy, Tony is looking down very proud today at you,? said Grambau. MIKE THREW the first pitches, tossing a softball to Logan Fleming and a baseball to her cousin Jacob Malocha.

The couple received a plaque to commemorate the occasion. ?It is very heartwarming, and I?m very proud to be part of an elite group,? said Mike, to the crowd. ?Some of my mentors themselves were grand marshals. To everybody that?s involved in the Little League program, thank you. Good luck today, young men and women, and coaches remember, this is the future of our community. Take pride in working with these young men and women and have a successful season.? Almost immediately, players started warming up in the outfield to usher in the new season with the first games.

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