HANSON — Hanson Little League’s annual parade and opening day festivities were held Saturday — and it finally felt like spring had arrived.
With the smell of burgers on the grill at the snack shack, and the crowd overflowing inside and outside the gate and field, many families joined their players on the walk from the Hanson Town Hall to Botieri Fields for ceremonies and first pitches.
A moment of silence was observed, and blue balloons were released, in honor of longtime Hanson baseball volunteer and mom Lori Sawtelle who passed away last month after a long battle with cancer.
Christopher O’Brien received the Botieri Award for his dedication and respect on and off the field as a member of Hanson baseball.
Lily Andrews threw the first pitch for the girls’ softball and former board member Greg Collins threw the first pitch for baseball.
Hanson Little League board member Paul Clark was master of ceremonies at the event.
Abby Godwin, 11, of Hanson sang the national anthem bringing cheers from the crowd as Hanson kicked off the beginning of the season for 2017.