The Winthrop Little League will hold its Opening Day ceremonies Saturday at 9 a.m. at the Little League ‘A’ Field.
Matt Emanuelson, who is beginning his first year as president, said that there will be 25 teams – 4 ‘A’ Division, 5 ‘B’ Division, 6 ‘C’ Division, and 10 T-Ball – in the program. There is also a WLL softball division in which four teams will compete. That program has doubled in size under the superb leadership of Christina Marenghi.
Town Manager Tony Marino, Police Chief Terry Delehanty, Fire Chief Scott Wiley, Rep. Jeff Turco, Sen. Lydia Edwards, former Sen. Joe Boncore, and Massport CEO Lisa Wieland have been invited to participate in the Opening Day program.
Emanuelson, whose son, Zach, and daughter, Kelly, are competing in the league, is a former Winthrop Little Leaguer himself.
“I was on the ‘A’ Braves,†recalled Emanuelson, who hit several fence-clearing blasts as a 12-year-old. “I remember some of my coaches were Mark Wallerce (owner of Winthrop Marketplace), Larry Thomas Sr. (father of former Chicago White Sox pitcher Larry Thomas Jr. who is a graduate of the league), and Mike Eruzione (Olympic gold medalist).â€
Emanuelson said he is looking forward to “a great season.â€