“It was a fantastic day with a terrific family fun atmosphere with over 250 people filling Langone Park for the North End baseball program opening day,” Baseball Coordinator John Romano boasted.
Five games were played, a family breakfast, a BBQ also took place throughout the beautiful sunny weather conditions.
John Fiumara tossed out the traditional first pitch and was honored for his many years of playing, coaching and continued support of the NEAA and several other community activities and endeavors.
Father Michael Dell Penna (born and raised in the North End) of Saint Leonard’s Parish blessed the program and the 175 players currently playing in the 2024 baseball program.
NEMPAC student Maggie Tompros did a great job performing the National Anthem accompanied by the USS Constitution Color Guard.
Besides the breakfast and BBQ, the event included facepainting, a temporary tattoo artist and a balloon maker.
Many volunteers, sponsors, family donations, supporters and friends helped make this event the highly successful opening day it was.
This year’s opening day saw the Majors and Minor Leagues take the field. The program also included T-ball, a clinic and a traveling team.
Romano noted that baseball is played at both Langone and Puopolo Parks five nights a week at 5:30 PM with the clinic and T-ball played on Sunday mornings at 9:30 AM and 10:30 AM.
He also praised Bill Murphy of Mac Murchadha Advisors the premier sponsor for the opening day event for the past two years.
Breakfast was sponsored by WaterMark Donut Company, Dunkin’ Donuts was available to everyone at the field. Romano thanked Bill Gailatis for his continued support of the NEAA.
Other sponsors were: St. Lucy Feast Society, Soma Yoga, The Post Gazette, Mangia, Mangia and Mike Giannasoli.
Raffle prizes were donated by Brine Sporting Goods, the Wells family, the Paniq Room, the Bonzagni family and the Burns family.
“The NEAA is looking forward to another awesome baseball season,” Romano said.