The 297 boys and girls ages 6 to 12 in the Indian Mills Athletic Association enjoyed warm weather and sunshine this year on baseball/softball opening day at Baker Field in Shamong on Saturday, April 14.
Each team, with local business sponsor names listed on their T-shirts, took turns running on to the field after being announced by athletic association president Dean Egan.
“People do an unbelievable amount of work to gear up for the season,” he said. “We couldn’t have done it without the help of our township committee.”
Mayor Jon Shevelew addressed the kids on his 10th visit to opening day, joking about the surprisingly good weather.
“We have a (recreation) program here that’s second to none,” he said. “Especially for a town our size.”
Every year, he said, opening day is just as exciting.
“Have a great season, folks,” he said. “Thanks for making our town as great as it is.”
The ceremony was highlighted with a special welcome home to Marine Sgt. Matthew St. John, the father of Red Sox tee-ball player Ethan St. John.
He arrived back in New Jersey that morning — shortly before Ethan’s first game — from a 10-month deployment to Africa, supporting missions in areas such as Libya and Uganda.
Reeling on the sense of patriotism, Nathan Butler, a freshman at Seneca High School, sang the national anthem.
Marnie Mitchell was honored with the annual O’Keefe Volunteer Award during the ceremony.
Egan aimed to keep the ceremony as “nice and brief” as possible, to let the eager young players loose.
Mark Georgette, director of baseball, said opening day is usually rainy and cold.
This is the 39th year for baseball in Shamong, he said.
“It’s a baseball town,” he said.
Five years ago, Egan said, the association had one field with lights.
“Now look at this complex,” he said.
There are eight quality fields, he said, nine if tee-ball is included. Four have lights to allow for night games, “which is tremendous,” Egan said. “We’re constantly trying to build and do what’s best for the kids,” he said.
A special player
The Blue Claws Slugger Two baseball team has welcomed third-grader Chloe Trefz to the otherwise all-boys team this year.
“She’s always wanted to play baseball,” said her mom, Wendee Trefz.
The team of mostly second- and third-grade participants needed players, and 8-year-old Chloe joined the team with no issues, Wendee said.
“She’s good enough,” said Egan.
Chloe got her first hit on opening day.
“We’re so happy,” said Wendee. “She’s very devoted.”
Baseball is Chloe’s biggest interest, she said, and she and her teammates rotate between all positions during games.
“She has all the baseball cards,” plus a baseball bat, Wendee said.
“All her friends are boys,” she said. “She’s just a tomboy to the extreme.”
Dates to keep in mind
Now that the season has kicked off, there are plenty of events to attend in upcoming weeks.
The Indian Mills Athletic Association Night at the Ballpark will take place on Thursday, May 10 at 6:35 p.m. at the Lakewood BlueClaws, 2 Stadium Way, Lakewood. Tickets cost $10.
Contact Mike Dunn at (609) 868–1351 or Mark Jasinski at (856) 426–1218 for more information or tickets.
This is the first year the association is attending, said Georgette.
They used to go to the Camden Riversharks.
“We just tried something different,” he said, and the kids might be able to see Phillies’ player Ryan Howard if he is still in recovery.
The money raised is donated back into the athletic program, he said.
The sixth annual “War in the Woods” Memorial Day tournament is also coming up, said Georgette.
An all-volunteer effort brings in 92 teams for a tournament, he said. The teams come from all over New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.
The tournament will take place from Friday, May 25 to Monday, May 28 at the Shamong Township Recreational Complex.
Brackets will be posted on the association website by Monday, May 21.
Egan said the tournament because of a need for funding.
Shamong is a small town with low taxes, he said. “That’s part of the reason why it works.”
As the complex fills to the brim for the tournament, Georgette said, “It’s a sight.”
With the beginning of the baseball/softball season, Egan announced, “Let’s play ball!”
For information on upcoming games and team standings, visit www.imaabaseball.org.
Scores from Opening Day
The following are reported scores from Saturday, April 14.
Slugger 2:
IMAA-BlueClaws- 12
IMAA-Storm-7
Minors:
IMAA-SandGnats- 12
IMAA-Hooks — 7
Majors:
IMAA-Owlz — 19
IMAA-Thunder — 14
Majors:
IMAA-RiverDogs — 15
Pemberton — WhiteSox — 1
