It all started with Opening Ceremonies Friday night and by Saturday night Opening Day was history. This weekend many youngsters in Troy began the adventure that is the recreation baseball and softball season.

The Troy Parks and Recreation Department held Opening Ceremonies Friday night in Movie Gallery Veterans Stadium on the Troy University campus and Opening Day saw many games played at the Sportsplex and Franklin Fields.

“We are glad it is here and it is something we have been working on since, really, the first of January,” said David Dickey, TPRD youth activities director. “Getting to see the kids running around out here having a good time makes all the hard work and working late worth it.”

The Dixie Youth Ozone league did not open up this weekend, but there was a home run derby for the 11 and 12 year olds in the league.

The violent weather storms of Wednesday and Thursday were gone by Friday and a sunny day replaced the cloudy weather of the previous two days in time for the youth leagues to kick off their seasons.

“We needed the beautiful weather and our grounds crew have worked their tails off,” Dickey said. “They do real good and they deserve a pat on the back. They have done a great job.”

Dickey said baseball and softball season, besides providing the most teams of any recreation league, is a fun time of year.

“I am excited that the warm weather is here and the cold weather is gone,” Dickey said. “Baseball is something I have always loved coaching and playing. I enjoy it and we have a couple months of baseball and softball now. We also get to watch these kids develop throughout the year and it is good to see that.”

Every team in the eight leagues other than Dixie Youth opened Saturday and the Dixie Youth teams open their season tomorrow. Dickey said there are more than 850 children enjoying the baseball and softball fun with the Troy Parks and Recreation Department this year.

League play will go through June and then it will be time to pick the 2009 tournament teams. As school winds down, the youth of Troy will enjoy fun in the sun on the diamond.