For the first time since 2019, Arlington Little League will host its Opening Day on Sun, April 3 from 1-5:30 p.m. at Barcroft Park.
“Our children and our families have been through a lot over the past few years. Baseball has been the constant. It has been an honor for Arlington Little League to continue playing this incredible game with some incredible kids. Holding an Opening Ceremony in Spring 2022 is another sign that we are inching back — ever so slightly and ever so carefully — towards easier times. We have never stopped loving these kids, and we have never stopped loving this game.,” said League president Adam Balutis.
This year, former Major League Baseball player and Northern Virginia native Brandon Guyer will be the special guest. Guyer, who played for the Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Indians, grew up in Herndon and played high school baseball at Herndon High School and the University of Virginia.
Guyer retired from professional baseball in 2020 and started an online training platform called Fully Equipped Athlete, which has grown into his new program, Major League Mindset. His mission is to help the next generation of athletes master the mental side of the game – to embrace adversity and learn from it, and to “fail forward” – and empower young players to become the best version of themselves, on and off the field.
Opening Day Events
1 p.m. – Teams gather (Field 4)
1:20 p.m. – Parade of ALL Stars (Field 4 to Field 1)
1:40 p.m. – Presentation of the Colors (VFW Post 3150) National Anthem Little League & Parent/Volunteer Pledges
1:50 p.m. – Welcome, Introductions, Opening Remarks
2 p.m. – On-Field Action (Contests and Entertainment, Hall of Fame Inductions, Special Guest, Ceremonial First Pitches)
Games
o 2:30 p.m. – Challengers – Brewers vs White Sox (Field 4)
o 2:45 p.m. – 50/70 – Brewers vs Cubs (Field 1)
o 3 p.m. – Majors – Giants vs Yankees (Field 2)
Opening Ceremonies will also include a Fun Zone with moon bounces, face painting, popcorn, food trucks and more!
Food Drive to Benefit AFAC
This year, ALL is teaming up with AFAC and Wakefield Baseball to “Take a Swing at Hunger.” Little league families are encouraged to non-perishable food to the ceremony. The team that brings the most items will win a team party courtesy of ALL.