Poway National Little League Kick-Starts the Season with Opening Day

Poway National Little League started off the season with its Opening Day ceremony at Majors Fields on Saturday.

The day in the ballparks began with team introductions from each division. As individual teams were acknowledged, players from 30 different teams ran the edges of the field waving team banners. Teams are divided into five divisions: Majors, Minors A, Minors B, T-ball and Rookies.

PNLL board President John P. Riley explained, “Opening Day is how we kick off our season. We like to acknowledge people who make Little League happen – people who volunteer, athletes, board members.

“It's about generating that positive energy at the start of the season,” said Riley.

The festivities proceeded with player Walter Wagner leading fellow little leaguers in a pledge to have fun as players promised one another, “Win or lose, I will do my best.” A duet performance by Anna Vaus and father Steve Vaus singing the National Anthem followed suit. 

After the ballpark rituals, Riley announced that for the first time ever, Poway National Little League will have interleague games against teams from the Poway American Little League team as a way for kids to play friends who may not be in the same league.

“This is a friendly step with our brothers and sisters next door to start working cooperatively,” Riley said.

Goals for the season include creating “a ballpark experience” with more festivities, prizes, vendors and possibly live music.

Team schedules can be found here.