It was all smiles as ballplayers from North Fork Little League made their way up Peconic Lane this afternoon in a parade which signaled the kickoff of the season.
This year’s opening day was dedicated to the late Bill Hands of Orient who played Major League baseball for 10 years on four different teams. Mr. Hands passed away several months ago. Players and coaches all wore a patch on their jerseys with Hands’ shirt number 49 and the words “In Memory of Bill Hands.”
The NJROTC was on hand for the ceremony and 12-year-old Franklin Mastrangelo of Orient sang the national anthem. Players and their families enjoyed a barbecue lunch before the game.