The sky may have been a bit cloudy, but it had the feeling of a bright, sunny day. As has been the custom over many, many years, the Milton American Little League and Softball programs kicked off their 2025 season with their annual parade to Cunningham Park during the afternoon hours of April 27.
Gathering at the corner of Huntington and Edge Hill roads, players aged 4-12, decked out in their team’s uniforms, made the short trek to Cunningham Park. Once more escorted by the town’s police and fire departments, both of whom have always been willing to help with the festivities before each season.
“This has been a tradition for a few decades,” said Milton American President Steve Novak, “We’ve had a great relationship with the police and fire, and generally after a phone call, they are more than happy to be our escort.”
The fun wouldn’t end there however, as both programs branched off to their respective diamonds, with softball up at the top near the parking lot and Babe Ruth/High School diamond and baseball at the lower field facing Fullers Lane. Awaiting T-ball, Mites, Pee Wees, Minors and Majors, would run onto their field whenever their team name and sponsors were called. Standing on either side were members of the Milton High baseball team, high-fiving every kid as they were going by.
Also as part of the general ceremony, Novak welcomed all players, friends and families before inviting Bob Greene and Paul Samuelian, representatives from Milton Kiwanis, the sponsor of last year’s Majors champions to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Novak would honor Milton American’s sponsors and also mentioned the town’s Community Preservation Committee, who generously approved the funding in making improvements to the ballfields around town, namely the infield, fencing and netting at Andrews Park.
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