Opening Day ceremony kicks off Portsmouth Little League's 74th season

PORTSMOUTH - It's a small town with a big Little League program - that was the message delivered by Portsmouth Little President Nik Uhlir during Saturday's 74th opening day ceremonies before roughly 300 people sitting in the stands at a sunny Leary Field.

Saturday's hour-long opening ceremony was followed by games at the historic field.

The start of another Portsmouth Little League spring and summer season is such an anticipated event - and such a joy to the players and all those involved - that the rainy weather stayed away, leaving Saturday morning nice and sunny, and providing a warm welcome to returning players and families.

Uhlir, who is in his second year as league president, said the first thing that comes to his mind when he hears that Portsmouth Little League has been around for the past 74 years is just how long of a time that is.

"Our league has been a fixture in this community for a really long time," Uhlir said. "I was talking to Mayor (Deaglan) McEachern, and I said that it's amazing how, as such a small town (that Portsmouth is), we have such an active baseball community and an enormous amount of support. It's kind of evident (today) in opening day."

Uhlir said the league continues to grow, and keeps adding players; something he continues to be proud of.

"We're very fortunate in that respect," Uhlir said. "Every year, we've got a great funnel coming in from the surrounding towns of all the tee-ball programs and things like that. It's evidence of the great work they're doing at the very, very youngest levels, and it's also evidence of our reputation as a league. If you see the results of all of the practice and all of the games, and all of the effort, parents and kids get a lot out of it. So (players and families) want to be part of the program."

Uhlir said his goal has stayed constant since he's been a part of youth baseball, and that his one goal each season has nothing to do with wins and losses.

"I want all of the kids to continue playing baseball," Uhlir said. "What I define as success is that every kid has fun, and every kid comes back."

Joey Coakley, 10, is a member of Elks No. 97 which plays in the Plains Division, and is in his third year playing baseball. Coakley pitches and can play multiple positions in the outfield, as well as shortstop and first base in the infield.

Although on the mound is where Coakley likes to be the most.

"I just like throwing, and playing with my friends," he said.

Coakley wants his team to make the playoffs this year, and don't be surprised to hear that Coakley hit a ball over the fence. After hitting a home run last year, he wants another this year.

Elks is managed by Hans Ellison, with coaches Tom Coakley, Jamie Coughenour and Cameron Dietrich.

Tyler Hodges, 9, plays for Brewster's Bait and Tackle, another team in the Plains Division. Much like Coakley, Hodges pitches and plays in the infield, as well as catcher. Pitching and catching are Hodges' favorite positions.

"(I throw) a fastball and a changeup," said Hodges, who has been playing baseball since he was 5 years old. "(The team goal) is probably make it to the playoffs and win the championship."

Brewster's Bait and Tackle is managed by Sam Cresta, and coached by Andrew Hodges, Matt Feingold, Chris Pechalk.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Portsmouth Little League welcomes start of its 74th season