Former NFL player Evan Oglesby, flanked by Habersham County Little League players and coaches, delivers the first pitch of the 2017 season at Diamond Memorial Field Saturday in Clarkesville. (photo/Daniel Purcell)
“For the first time in the 2017 season, let’s play ball!”
Habersham Little League Board President Christan Tanner made the exclamation that officially kicked off the 2017 season on Saturday morning at Diamond Memorial Fields in Clarkesville.
OPENING DAY EXCITEMENT
As always, this season is primed to be a great one. There are 34 teams in a total of seven divisions that make up the HCLL landscape this season. The divisions range from t-ball, Challenger League, softball (both at the t-ball and Little League level) and up to age 12. This year HCLL has expanded, thanks in large part to a “re-districting” that allows kids from White County and Stephens County to play in the league if they go to an elementary school in those counties.
“Opening Day is always the pinnacle of our season,” says HCLL board member and marketer Matt Paul. “The athletes have worked hard and are looking for another good year. We’re focused on teamwork and character development on and off the field.”
PARADE
Diamond Fields was the place to be in Habersham on Saturday morning, as the festivities began with a parade of all the teams and players that make up the league. The Challenger League was introduced first and were followed by softball teams, t-ball teams and on up to the older kids.
The players entered onto the field and were welcomed with a “Raider high-five tunnel” made up of the Habersham Central High School Raiders baseball team.
VOLUNTEERS & SPONSOR RECOGNITION
Tanner welcomed the crowd and thanked the HCLL sponsors, including Chevy, Chase Sanitation, ASI Southeast and Opportunity Tax, who donated $1,000 to HCLL “just because.”
Tanner also announced Chase Sanitation’s “Chase Your Dreams” scholarship that will be made available for two high school seniors.
One boy and one girl will receive $500 each toward whatever college they are attending. April 1 marks the first day they can apply. More details will be released soon on HCLL’s website.
Tanner praised the volunteers that make HCLL possible, and as she exclaimed, they “make the league run” by putting in countless hours.
“Volunteers and sponsors invest in the league and invest in these kids,” says Tanner.
GUEST SPEAKER – FORMER NFL PLAYER EVAN OGLESBY
Guest speaker Evan Oglesby, former NFL player, addressed the kids and those in attendance. Oglesby, who is from Toccoa (Stephens County High School) urged players to dream big.
“I used to watch TV and see [athletes] on there and wonder how those guys did it – what they did to get there,” recalled Oglesby.
He made his dreams come true when playing in the NFL, even playing alongside childhood hero Deion Sanders with the Baltimore Ravens. Oglesby played at Stephens County and was a two-time All-American at North Alabama. He went undrafted in the NFL but was picked up by the Buffalo Bills. He played with the Bills, Dallas Cowboys, Ravens and Miami Dolphins.
Oglesby recounted how dealing with trials and discipline coming from playing sports growing up, and how he is a major advocate for sports. After an injury led to his NFL career coming to a close, he turned the disappointment into making an impact for others. He’s opened the Evan Oglesby Foundation to service the youth in Toccoa and now in Habersham (at the Ruby Fulbright Aquatic Center).
“I wanted to get involved in something I love so I didn’t have to work another day in my life,” says Oglesby. “I’m still living my dream; I wanted to be that hand that reached back to help the next person achieve their dreams. I’m a true believer that kids are our future and I thank God that I’m in this position.”
Oglesby left the kids to join him in saying “I am somebody. I will succeed!” Three times he made the kids exclaim it with him so that the “kids in Stephens and Rabun County can hear it.”
AWARDS & FIRST PITCH
Also highlighting Opening Day was the recognition of individuals who were honored with awards. Josh Wright and Mike Chapman were named Volunteers of the Year. Chapman coached for 43 years, but said he felt more like a teacher than a coach in a letter he had for Tanner to read.
Tanner announced the first-ever HCLL Lifetime Achievement Award, which was given to Sidney Roland, who was a founding member of HCLL. Roland thanked others who helped make HCLL what it is today and left with a Yogi Berra quote: “Little League is a very good thing because it keeps the parents off the streets.”
Three HCLL players were also recognized for their t-shirt designs, including the winning-design by Drew Berring. His shirt design will be on sale all season at the HCLL gear tables at games.
Following the Little League pledge and National Anthem, Oglesby and a Challenger player threw out the first pitch of the 2017 season!
You can enjoy more HCLL Opening Day ceremony pictures. Just click on the photos below to enlarge and scroll through them.
HABERSHAM COUNTY LITTLE LEAGUE OPENING DAY
Diamond Memorial Field
Clarkesville, Georgia / March 25, 2017
photos by Brian Carter and Daniel Purcell
(click to enlarge)
