BY LINDA SMITH HANCHARICK
WEST MILFORD — Welcome back boys and girls of summer!
West Milford Little League Opening Day is set for Saturday, April 28, at Hillcrest Field, starting at 10 a.m.
As is the tradition here in West Milford, there will be a special guest to kick off the season.
Native New Yorker and former Met and Yankee player Lee Mazzilli will be on hand to talk to the young players and throw out the ceremonial first pitch of the 2018 season.
Mazzilli, who grew up in Brooklyn, was drafted in the first round of the 1973 Major League Baseball draft by his hometown New York Mets. He broke into the majors with the Mets in 1976 and played some of his best baseball with them through the years.
In 1979, Mazzilli led the Mets with 181 hits and 79 runs batted in. He was the team’s sole representative at the All-Star game in Seattle where he hit a game-tying solo home run in the eighth inning then drew a bases-loaded walk in the ninth for the winning run.
He played for the Mets through the 1981 season, then the Rangers and the Yankees in the 1982 season. He moved on to the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1983 to 1986, returning to the Mets for the latter part of that memorable world championship season. His playing career ended in 1989 with the Toronto Blue Jays.
He was the first base coach with the Yankees during the 2000 season, coaching the Bombers to a World Series win over Mazzilli’s former Mets.
Festivities, food and funThe festivities begin at 10 a.m. The West Milford Pipers and Drums of the West Milford highlanders will lead the Little League teams onto the field where they will be announced.
Mazzilli will talk to the players and then throw out the first pitch to both of the opening day catchers for the Yankees and the Cardinals. Afterwards, Mazzilli will take pictures and sign autographs for $20, a fundraiser for the league.
And of course there will be food. Johnny’s Pork Roll and Coffee Too, Chick Wings & Things, Sip N Swirl Ice Cream, Russo Brothers Zeppole, and kettle corn should satisfy most in attendance.
Come earlyWhile the festivities begin at 10 a.m., organizers encourage folks to come early. Parking at Hillcrest fills up quickly and there will be shuttles running between Hillcrest and the West Milford Recreation Center, where there is ample parking. The shuttles will begin to run at 8 a.m.
The league thanks its sponsors for making Mazzilli’s appearance possible. They include the West Milford PBA, Dick’s Sporting Goods, The Grasshopper Irish Pub, Mark Lindsay & Son Plumbing & Heating, and Patriot Electric Inc.
Essential informationWest Milford Little League Opening Day
Saturday, April 28, 10 a.m.
Hillcrest Field (Behind Hillcrest Community Center), 1810 Macopin Road
Additional parking/shuttle buses at West Milford Recreation Center