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April 1, 2022 • Schneps Media
LOCAL NEWS
Back on the eld WE
Greenwich Village Little League
ready to play ball once again
The Greenwich Village Little League will celebrate the start of its rst season since
2019 this Saturday with their Opening day celebration.
BY AIDAN SEIDEN
Greenwich Village Little League
(GVLL), a community-led organization
founded to give local children
the opportunity to play baseball and softball,
is hosting their Opening Day celebration
this Saturday, April 2, at Pier 40 on the
West Side Highway.
The much-anticipated event commemorates
the start of their 38th Spring season, as
well as their fi rst gathering as a Little League
Community since Spring 2019.
“We couldn’t be more excited to have
the whole league back together again,” said
the Opening Day Chairman, Jackson Rice.
“While it was thrilling to get back on the
fi eld last year, we were hampered by COVID
restrictions and it felt like more of a
soft start. This year, we are approaching
the season and Opening Day as a return
‘Back to Normal’.”
Since its founding in 1984, the mission
of the GVLL was to create a “small town”
atmosphere in the heart of New York City,
with a focus on teaching discipline, teamwork
and physical well-being— and as a result,
the number of players registering each
year continues to grow.
This spring season GVLL has already received
700+ sign-ups, of girls and boys ranging
from ages 5-17, participating across 60
teams in 13 divisions.
Although GVLL’s primary event takes
place in the Spring season, from April to
June, there are opportunities for new players
to apply year-round. Immediately following
this season, the league holds Summer Ball
from July to August, then Fall Ball from September
PHOTO COURTESY OF GREENWICH VILLAGE LITTLE LEAGUE
to November, and even Winter Ball
from December to March, at the P3 indoor
facility at Pier 40.
While participation in the league is limited
to those who live or go to school on the
West Side of Manhattan in neighborhoods
north of Canal Street and south of West
59th Street, this is among one of the only
restrictions the league enforces.
“Little League is an inclusive activity that
connects children from all backgrounds to
have fun in our city,” they stated.
GVLL offers programs to all eligible
families within the geographic boundaries,
regardless of race, nationality, color, sexual
orientation, gender, marital status, or disability;
and Opening Day is an emulation of
these principles as they portray the qualities
GVLL strives to instill in their players —
teamwork, competitiveness, sportsmanship,
community involvement, and respect for all.
Along with the 1,500 Greenwich Village
residents attending the celebration, a
number of local politicians are expected
to join in on the fun, including District 3
City Council Member Erik Botcher, State
Senator Brad Hoylman, Manhattan Borough
President Mark Levine, and Congressman
Jerry Nadler.
The gates are scheduled to open at 10:30
am., marking the offi cial start to the celebration,
with the Blue Angels Drum Line
leading the parade of teams across the fi eld.
After a few speeches and the throwing of the
fi rst Opening Day pitch, GVLL has planned
a surprise entertainment to conclude the
day’s festivities.
“Many families have not been to a party
in 2 years,” said Rice. “We will show them a
great one this Saturday!”
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