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Community Corner

West Hartford Little League Opening Day

Opening Day of the West Hartford Little League was held at the University of Connecticut Sports Complex at the corner of Asylum Avenue and Trout Brook Drive in West Hartford on Sunday, April 27, 2014. 

The sun was shining brightly as almost 800 children, together with their  parents, lined up for the parade in the University of Connecticut parking lot. 

The parade route crossed the bridge over the Trout Brook and entered the major league field through the fence in left field. Over 60 teams marched in the parade, proudly and  prominently displaying the banners of their sponsors. The parade started with the three Miracle League teams. Many of the children in the Miracle League, which is a division for children with special needs, entered the field with walkers or in wheelchairs. 

The Miracle League teams were followed by the Rookie Division teams comprised primarily of children primarily ages 4 and 5, the Instructional  Division teams, comprised primarily of children ages 6 and 7, the Minor League Division teams comprised primarily of children ages 8 and 9, the  AAA Division teams, comprised primarily of children ages 9, 10 and 11 and the Major League Division teams, comprised primarily of children ages 11 and 12. 

The children were seated in the outfield as Brian Coco, the new President of the league, was met at the pitching mound by outgoing president Gary Druckenmiller, for the ceremonial passing of the bat. President Brian Coco greeted the crowd and discussed the philosophy of the West Hartford Little League. Latayna Farrel, a Little League mother and local teacher and entertainer, sung a beautiful rendition of  the National Anthem. President Brian Coco then introduced Mayor Scott Slifka, who greeted the crowd and told a story about his Little League experience. 

President Coco then introduced Scott Franklin, one of the founders of the Miracle League, who described the reasons for the Miracle League and discussed upcoming events, including the Miracle League Celebrity Golf Tournament, scheduled for Tueday, June 3, 2014 at the  Wampanoag Country Club in West Hartford, with celebrity co-hosts Kevin Ollie and Jen Rizzotti. 

President Coco then introduced Jeff LaRosa, a long time coach and division supervisor in the West Hartford Little League, and recognized him for his invaluable service to the league. Mayor Slifka surprised Jeff LaRosa with a Proclamation declaring April 27, 2014 Jeff LaRosa day in West Hartford, CT. 

Jeff LaRosa then introduced several high school seniors in attendance who were Little League players from age 7 through 12 and who will be graduating from high school this spring. There were representatives from Hall High School, Conard High School and Kingswood Oxford School. 

Jeff mentioned that  former Little League players have now fully penetrated the local high schools and former  Little League players are captains of their varsity baseball teams at  Hall High School, Conard High School and Kingswood Oxford School. After the presentation, first pitches were thrown by outgoing president Gary Druckenmiller, Jeff LaRosa and Mayor Scott Slifka. Each of them threw perfect strikes to home plate. 

After the ceremony was completed, many Little League games were played throughout the Town of West Hartford. The Little League baseball season runs through Sunday, June 15, 2014. 

For more information about the West Hartford Little League or the Miracle League, please visit westhartfordlittleleague.com or miracleleaguect.org.

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