Hundreds of young ball players, their families and coaches marched down Macdonald Avenue in Richmond to Nicholl Park this morning as part of the annual Richmond Little League Baseball and Girl’s Softball Opening Day celebration.
The annual parade began at the Richmond Civic Center parking lot at 24th and Nevin Ave. and continued toward Nicholl Park at 3230 Macdonald Ave. Once there, Richmond Fire Capt. Rico Rincon, Richmond police Lt. Ernest Loucas and Richmond Recreation Coordinator Tetteh Kisseh all participated in throwing the ceremonial first pitches at the same time to officially open the season.
“With the pandemic, we were not able to have [the parade] for several years,” Coach Pablo Ramierz said. “It’s important to the teams, the families of our Little League players and the community.”
The league is gearing up to be the start of an historic season. Following a vote by Richmond City Council, a ball field at Nicholl Park is set to be renamed after San Francisco Giants legend Willie Mays, with a possible ceremony and dedication planned on or around Mays’ birthday, which is May 6. More on that story here.
