The Wrangell Sharks had the first at-bat last Saturday during the first game of the Little League season. Connor Blake, the first batter of the game, hit a home run on the second pitch, as catcher Malachi Harrison of the Rays was left empty-handed.
Jimmy Nelson draws lines on the baseball field last Saturday in preparation for Little League opening day. Minor league teams the Sharks and the Rays played the first game of the season.
Players from all the Wrangell Little League teams gather on the diamond at the opening ceremony on April 30.
Verity Waddington looks out on the baseball field during Little League opening day at Volunteer Park.
The first pitch is thrown at the Little League opening day ceremony to start the season. Games will be held on Wednesdays and Thursdays through June.
Little League board members Brianna Schilling (front) and Kaelene Harrison address the crowd on opening day.
The community turned out for Little League opening day last Saturday, with two Wrangell teams going head-to-head in a spirited game at the Volunteer Park ballfields.
Minor league teams the Rays and Sharks, comprised of 8-, 9- and 10-year-old players, played the first game of the season, with the Sharks winning 6 to 5.
Maintenance crews prepped the ballfield before the opening ceremony as teams, friends and families gathered in anticipation of the game.
"Thank you for coming out and supporting your Wrangell Little League," said board member Briana Schilling as she addressed the crowd. "I want to say thank you to our volunteers, our coaches - they put in a lot of time - our umpires, concession stand workers, score board and bookkeepers, field maintenance workers and board members. This program would not be possible without you."
Board member Kaelene Harrison noted that it was the first year in a while that Wrangell had junior league teams.
"This is awesome to have these guys out here willing to commit when, at that age, there are a lot of things going on," Harrison said. "We're really proud of this team and hope that we can see great things this year."
The major league division only has enough players for one team, which means they will have to play each other in modified games unless they are able to play teams from other communities. The Little League board is working with Petersburg and other Southeast teams to set up more games at home and away for all divisions.
Major league players will break into two teams, the Lightning and Thunder, and are scheduled to play at 6 p.m. Wednesday The Sharks and Rays are scheduled for a rematch on Thursday at the same time.
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