Opening Day parade defies the weather for launch of 60th season

This article is brought to you by Freedom Financial.

Baseball is back in Russiaville.

April 18 marked the 60th Opening Day for the Russiaville Youth Baseball League, and the entire town turned out to celebrate despite the rainy weather.

Players piled onto floats, fully attired in their team uniforms along with a few raincoats, ponchos, and umbrellas. The gray and wet weather did nothing to dampen the kids’ spirits, however. They cheered and waved as the parade wended its way through Russiaville on its way to the ball diamonds.

Once there, the teams swarmed the fields, accompanied by parents eager to snap photos and commemorate the moment. Past players joined the current generation on the diamond as well, pausing for the playing of the National Anthem before resuming the celebration.

Following the ceremonial first pitch, the kids got to the business of playing baseball and softball. Kokomo Lantern photographer Adam Hartsough sat in for the first minor league match-up of the season between Walls Furniture and Stephens Machine.

This year, 19 teams will suit up and take the field between the Rookie League, Minor League, and Major League divisions. An additional four teams will compete in the Bridge division for older players, and Russiaville’s T-Ball division is packed with players on 12 teams. That’s nearly 400 kids enjoying the National Pastime.

See additional photos from the Opening Day Parade and the Walls/Stephens contest, courtesy of Adam Hartsough, on the Lantern’s Facebook page.