Play Ball: Youth Season Is Underway At Crawford
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Chase Dudley delivers the first pitch at Saturday’s opening ceremony for Magnolia Youth League at Crawford Sports Complex.
WATER VALLEY — The youth baseball and softball season officially got underway Saturday as 24 teams gathered on the field at Crawford Sports Complex for opening ceremonies.
Families, coaches and players filled the complex as the annual event marked the start of another season for the Magnolia Youth League.
Robert Maze, director of the Water Valley Parks Commission, welcomed the crowd and thanked those in attendance for their support.
“We’ve been doing quite a bit getting everything ready,” Maze said. “Thank y’all for showing up. We’re glad to get things kicked off.”
The ceremony included an opening prayer followed by the National Anthem, performed on trombone by Water Valley High School Band Director Wes Brown.
Mayor Tommy Reynolds addressed the crowd, emphasizing the importance of community involvement and the role youth sports play in shaping young lives.
“It is an honor to be here today on behalf of the City of Water Valley,” Reynolds said. “It is wonderful to see parents, coaches and the whole community involved in promoting our future. Our future is these children who are participating in this program.”
Reynolds noted that youth sports provide more than just competition.
“They learn so much — the game of life. You need to play by the rules and make sure everything is fair,” he said. “This is an opportunity for coaches and parents to teach children truths that they will never forget.”
He also thanked the Parks Commission, coaches, parents and sponsors for their support in making the season possible.
“We are all one team today, and we are all united. Let’s enjoy what these children mean to us,” Reynolds said.
Maze then recognized team sponsors, including Rotary Club, Valley Tool, State Farm, Farm Bureau, C.W. White, Roberson Flooring, Pullen Dental, Sikma’s Odds and Ends, Defer Law Office, Crow Martin, Williams and Company, Townes Funeral Home, Turnage Drug Store, Renasant Bank, First National Bank of Water Valley, BankFirst, Lions Club, Crawford and Associates, Mid-Town Auto Parts, Yalobusha General Hospital, Oxford Tire Stop, Junior Auxiliary, Folson Fun Bounce and Magnolia Eye Group.
The ceremony concluded with Chase Dudley, representing the Magnolia Youth League, delivering the ceremonial first pitch.
