That’s just the start for West Side, which had its first opening day on May 24, 1953. Here are other events in the works:
» Opening day ceremonies are set for Saturday, April 14, immediately following a 9 a.m. parade from Wilson Middle School to the park.
Beyond the current members of the league, Couch said the goal is get anybody that’s ever been affiliated with West Side — players, coaches, board members, etc. — to join the parade. That includes the organization’s Little League World Series teams from 1991, 1993, 2007 and 2010.
“We’d love to have old teams get back together and put a float in the parade. We’d really love to get some of the original players from the first year,” Couch said. “They can walk, ride in a truck, whatever they want to do.”
Anyone interested in being part of the parade is asked to contact Couch by the middle of next week. Contact information is listed on West Side’s website (www.wslloh.com).
“If they just show up the morning of the parade, we’ll squeeze them in. I’m not going to turn anybody away,” Couch said. “But it would help us plan if we know by Wednesday or Thursday.”
If there is inclement weather on the 14th, the day’s events will be pushed back to the 15th.
» The weekend of May 18-20 will be a busy one.
On Friday the 18th, there will be a banquet, dinner and dance at Badin High School’s Pfirman Family Activity Center. Anyone with West Side ties is encouraged to attend.
There will be a cocktail hour from 6-7 p.m., dinner from 7-9 p.m., then music with a DJ. Cost is $15 per person or $25 per couple. Badin baseball coach Brion Treadway is scheduled to be the guest speaker.
“People can pay at the door to get in, but we’d like to know ahead of time if they’re planning to attend so we can plan for food,” Couch said.
On Saturday the 19th, there will be throwback games at the park in the afternoon.
“We’re inviting anybody that’s ever been affiliated with the park to come out, players young and old,” Couch said. “Hopefully we’re going to have games on three different fields going on.”
On Sunday the 20th, West Side’s fourth annual golf scramble will be held at Potter’s Park Golf Course. Cost is $75 per person or $300 per team, which includes 18 holes of golf with a cart, a contribution to WSLL, and a post-golf ceremony and pork dinner.
To register, contact Drew Hamilton at 513-477-7433. Deadline is May 6.
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