Saturday was a big day for young athletes in Folsom as festivities took place across the city to celebrate the opening of the 2023 season for area little leaguers and softball teams.
A break in the rainy weather brought sunny skies to the area that lasted just long enough for multiple teams within District 54 little league across the region to enjoy their much anticipated opening ceremonies, parades and camaraderie after weeks of delayed or cancelled practices due to the wrath of Mother Nature since the start of the year.
Folsom is served by two different leagues under he banner of District 54, Folsom American Little League and Folsom National Little League. District 54 serves leagues extending from Roseville to Folsom and out to the areas of Rancho Murrieta and Placerville.
At McFarland Park Saturday, Mayor Rosario Rodriguez performed her very first ceremonial pitch since becoming Folsom’s Mayor in late 2022. Rodriguez was invited to do the honors by the Folsom American Little League. She was joined on the mound by Dean Williams of the Folsom Athletic Association as the duo simultaneously threw pitches to a pair of players each from the Blue Jays and the Mariners.
Video: Samantha Davidson photography
“It was an honor to throw the first pitch for Opening Day with Folsom American Little League,” said Rodriguez. “It was great to watch the young athletes’ excitement gearing up for the start of baseball. The support, energy and camaraderie amongst the parents, coaches and volunteers demonstrates that youth sports is an economic driver.”
The Folsom American Little League has been a long-standing tradition in the city, offering young athletes the opportunity to learn and play the game of baseball in a fun and supportive environment. The league has seen tremendous growth in recent years, with more and more families signing up their children to participate each season. This season the league has more than 600 young athletes.
Just down the road, Folsom National Little League was celebrating the opening of its season in traditional fashion at Digger and Sharon Williams Park near Dan Russell Arena. Each year this organization kicks off opening day with a festive team parade consisting of vehicles decorated by the various teams that are judges and presented with awards. The parade escorts their players through the various streets of Folsom to bring excitement to the community about the opening of the season.
Founded in 1958, Folsom National Little League provides a great league for kids from ages 5-16. We have Tee Ball, Minors, AA, AAA, Majors, Juniors and Senior levels of baseball that serve approximately 400 families. Through these levels we provide the kids with a fun and challenging baseball experience.
Saturday was a big day for the Folsom Softball Club as well. Dressed in their colorful new uniforms, the young ladies of this club flocked to Livermore Park Saturday to open their season. Among the festivities were a traditional wagon parade in which teams decorate their own wagon in an effort to win various prizes.
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A few snaps of Saturday’s action at Livermore Park below. Photos: Folsom Softball Club
*NOTE: CHECK BACK AT WWW.FOLSOMTIMES.COM FOR ADDITIONAL PHOTOS FROM THE DAY’S FESTIVITIES
