ATHENS-Saturday will kick off ball season in Athens with more than 1,000 children starting their seasons in baseball, softball and soccer.
The City of Athens Parks and Recreation Department will hold Opening Day ceremonies Saturday, April 2, at the Sportsplex on U.S. 31 for baseball at 9 a.m. and softball at 10:30 a.m. The Opening Day festivities will include each baseball and softball team parading the field with signs, balloons, and more to celebrate the season’s start.
Soccer is not having a ceremony, which will be held in the fall, but spring soccer games will also start Saturday.
Parks and Recreation Director Ben Wiley said there are 483 children signed up for baseball, about 340 for softball and about 340 for soccer.
Mayor Ronnie Marks will throw the first pitch for both baseball and softball.
In addition, Applebee’s Tailgate Talk will broadcast live from the Sportsplex. The show includes former Alabama football player Gene Jelks talking about his upcoming book signing to benefit the Parks and Recreation Department. Another special guest will be Jermaine Curtis of the Cincinnati Reds. Applebee’s Tailgate Talk will broadcast at 10 a.m. on 1080 AM WKAC.
