It may not have been Yankee Stadium, but at the Castle Hill Little League field on Zerega Avenue Mayor Bill de Blasio took part in the opening ceremonies and threw out the first pitch. The Little Leaguers marched to the Zerega Avenue field all the way from Lafayette Avenue, with a police escort and led by State Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz Sr. Many people including Congressman Jose Serrano, State Senator Jeff Klein (who came with a surprise gift), were on the field waiting for the players and the mayor. The photos below should tell the rest of the story.
Above - State Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz Sr. who lead the parade awaits to meet all the marchers.
Below - It is the 60th Anniversary of the Castle Hill Little League.
Above and Below State Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz Sr. greets each team, and asks 'Who is going to win'?
Above and Below - You can see the marchers were not only baseball players.
Above - The EXIT Reality team brought its team mascot.
Below - Mayor Bill de Blasio arrived at the perfect time.
Above - The mayor make the rounds shaking hands, like that of Commissioner Joe Ramos.
Below - Everyone is seated as the ceremony begins.
Above - The mayor congratulates Brendan Hernandez on a fine job of singing the National Anthem.
Below - Congressman Jose Serrano says that he told his fellow house members to finish work Friday so that he could attend this event.
Above - Michelle Dolgow of State Senator Jeff Klein's off ice holds a check for $172,000 for maintenance of the Castle Hill Little League field, which Below Senator Klein gives to Ms. Christina Martinez the President of the league.
Above - While he said he did not have a check like Senator Klein that he has supported the little league all the years he has been in office.
Below - The mayor gives Ms. Martinez a proclamation as he proclaims Saturday April 27th Castle Hill Little League Day.
Above - The mayor speaks of the importance of programs such as little league to growing children.
Below - The mayor points to Congressman Serrano, and speaks of the important work that has to be done in Washington to help New York City.
Above - The mayor throws out the first pitch, which would of been called a strike.
Below - The mayor congratulates Catcher Thomas Velazquez on the fine catch, and later signs the ball for this college bound catcher.
