Spring Sports

With drums beating, dogs barking and children cheering, Lafayette's First Spring Sports Parade processed down the long Morris Farms Road hill to the fresh ball field just off Route 15, drummers John Deming and Brandon Czohla leading the way. Brett Hardman, board member of the Lafayette Amateur Athletic League, said that the players and coaches had been working very hard to prepare for this season and expressed his appreciation for the outstanding support from the various team sponsors. The LAA's mission is to develop skills, character and sportsmanship in young athletes. The organization is creating a Web presence at lafayetteathletics.org As the parade passed their home, spectators Tammy Drake and her parents, Ron and Linda Pettenger, expressed their delight in the event and the children. Linda Pettenger has served Lafayette as tax collector for the past 34 years. Drake's daughter, Kennedy, is an avid player on the Tigers T-ball team. Libby, the Pettenger's retriever, being in a delicate condition with puppies on the way, complained vociferously about the drums. The high moment of the day came when Mayor John D'Angeli threw the first ball of the season to catcher Colton Hardman. Addressing the crowd, D'Angeli urged the children to play hard, work hard and be good sports. After standing at attention for the National Anthem, the children broke into happy groups on the field, some practicing catching and throwing, others thronging around the hotdog stand, the enticing aroma of which had been hovering in the air. Teams and their head coaches include: Softball Rookies (Wildcats) - Richard Posner Rookies (Tigers) - Bob Engdahl Minors (Tigers) - Jack Delaney Baseball T-Ball (Tigers) - Andy Frye Rookies (Tigers) - Joe Silvernail Rookies (Wildcats) - John Elzinga Minors (Cougars) - Kevin UnrathMinors (Tigers) - Sean Breslin Minors (Wildcats) Neal Sharpe