Weather forecast frustrates Little League opening plans

Unpromising weather forecasts this past weekend prompted the cancellation of opening day ceremonies for several Lynn Little Leagues.As a result, next weekend will be busier than usual, and it will involve some conflicting emotions: the celebration of anniversary seasons, but also a sense of regret over the loss of longtime District 16 administrator Alice O’Neil, who died last year.”Alice means a lot to East Lynn,” league vice president Bill Allen said. “She put her heart and soul into our league and everyone else’s throughout the rest of the district.”All five Lynn Little Leagues will feature O’Neil’s initials on their hats. Some of the leagues will also put up a banner.The East Lynn leadership was planning a tribute to O’Neil this past Saturday. The ROTC would appear at the field, as well as a bagpiper, and the crowd would observe a moment of silence.However, the weather forecast resulted in a postponement to this Saturday, and the ROTC students will be in a competition in Florida that day. (The league made a donation to help them.) Allen said that “we shall see” if the league will have a bagpiper.East Lynn was one of five leagues in District 16 that saw its opening day and games called off, district administrator Joe Baglieri said.”Each league has its own rules as to how they make up games,” he said, adding that some leagues have rain dates.There is also the consideration of who else is scheduled to participate in an opening day ceremony, Baglieri said, such as dignitaries or the fire department.”There’s a big parade, a (fire) truck, a police car,” he said, “councilmen, the (league) president thanks all the volunteers, parents, teams. You hope for a good season for all.”Several leagues in the district will commemorate anniversaries: Revere (60th), Pine Hill (50th) and Salem (25th). West Lynn American is celebrating its 60th anniversary. Pine Hill president Dan Gisonno viewed Saturday’s opening day as the culmination of a hectic week of preparation.”We have quite a bit of field work and basic preparation,” he said. “It’s a very busy week but we’re definitely optimistic.”Pine Hill will honor last year’s Major City Series champion Red Sox, as well as Lynn City Home Run Derby champion Anthony Rossi, on opening day. Gisonno has invited anyone involved in the league in the past 50 years – board members, players and coaches – to attend. There will also be activities such as a dunk tank, with league members getting a chance to dunk their president.And so, next weekend, some Little Leagues will open up for the first time ? others will have a chance to do it again.”Right now on Easter Sunday, we’re trying to pull it together,” Allen said. “We’re hoping for good weather next Saturday.”