ATHOL – One sure sign that spring is here is opening day for the Athol-Orange Chuck Stone Little League

The parade which kicks off the league’s season, will take place on Saturday, May 6, at 9:30 a.m. Players and coaches will walk from the Athol YMCA to James H. Salevan Field, behind the Athol America Legion.

League President Robert Woodard said organizers are anticipating a great 2023 season. Participation is up from last year and different leagues have been organized as a result. Woodard said the greater participation this year can be chalked up to more than just the fading of the recent pandemic.

“I think what it is, is they see a big outpouring of people wanting to play baseball. Even for the girls, they’ve never had anything to do except play baseball,” he said. “But now that they see that they have a league of their own, it’s fantastic. We have a lot of girls showing up because they have something to do just for themselves; they don’t have to play a sport with boys – it’s just for them.”

The season opener is scheduled to get under way at 11 a.m., following the parade, and games will take place until the late afternoon. Prior to the first pitch, said Woodard, a couple of individuals will be honored for their voluntarism, but their names won’t be made known until the awards are handed out.

Winners of the fundraiser raffle will also be announced. Raffle tickets are still available. If interested, message the league via Facebook: www.facebook.com/AOCSLL/. Cash and checks will be accepted and purchasers can also pay via venmo@chuckstonelittleleague. Tickets are $10. The first place winner gets a trip to see the Red Sox play the Rays at Fenway on June 2, courtesy of Gordon Fresh. Second and third place winners get tickets to see the WooSox play Lehigh Valley at Polar Field on May 16 and 21, courtesy of Regal Storage and Spencer Fortwengler of TOPPS Realtors, respectively. Fourth place wins tickets to the WooSox-Rochester game on June 11, also sponsored by Spencer Fortwengler. Fifth place is $100 in Mass scratch tickets.

Businesses who are providing sponsorships this year include Porter Transportation, Dig n Pour, Kessler Investments, Athol American legion Post 102, Cornerstone Insurance, Dean’s Beans. Kimball Law, Hayden Roofing, Noel’s Nursery, Lyman Signs, Knapp Home Heating, McGovern Auto Group, Orange Oil, D’Ambrosio Eye Care, Athol Savings Bank, Athol Credit Union, Bank Hometown, Whipps Inc, Athol Orange Eagles, Adams Farm, Pre K Kids, Athol VFW, Athol Orange Auto School, Salvadore Chevrolet, TD Bank, Mahar Boosters, Realtor Stephanie Pandiscio, Hannaford, Marine Corps Pequoig Detachment #1168, Athol Fire Dept. and Garlock Printing.

Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com.

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