By RAYMOND HILL

For the Bulletin

Ripon Little League held their Opening Day ceremony for the 2024 season on Saturday, March 9, at the Ripon Community Center ball fields.

After coming off of a record-breaking season, having won 7 championship banners in 2023, the 2024 season is the largest in RLL history with a record number of teams —20 in total, 14 baseball and 6 softball with 237 combined players.

Ripon won championships in the following divisions:

*Softball: District 67 Minor’s TOC District 67 Major’s TOC District 67 Minor’s Allstars District 67 Major’s Allstars

*Baseball: District 67 Minor’s TOC District 67 Minor’s Allstars District 67 11U Allstars.

Following the recognition of these teams, RLL introduced the teams representing the league in 2024. Each team was announced and participated in an on-field parade around the outfield for photos and to participate in the ceremony.

Other highlights included Pastor Greg Cady from Calvary Reformed Church, who delivered an amazing prayer to wish our players, families and league officials luck and good health during the upcoming season.

Attendees were also serenaded by local performer Mia Hinrichsen with her rendition of the National Anthem, accompanied by an American flag (one that was large enough to cover our infield), erected at the end of the engine ladder provided by Ripon’s finest, the Ripon Fire Department.

RLL’s 2024 President Michelle Townsend delivered her opening message to thank the players and volunteers, and used the opportunity to recognize a player in our Minors division who couldn’t attend due to complications from a recent surgery.

She dedicated the jersey to Myles Handley, who eventually joined his team later in the week after spending over a month in recovery at the hospital.

His Blue Jays teammates and classmates at Colony Oak Elementary joined in on the deduction, which helped inspire those who were in attendance and followed his story in the local social media channels.

Of course, we concluded our Opening Day with ceremonial first pitches for both our baseball and softball divisions courtesy of Easton Smit (baseball) and Annabelle Hoff (softball).

The league followed the ceremony with a day full of ball games, and had local food trucks in attendance to help support the league.

Special thanks to Agora Coffee and Kona Ice for their support on site. Ripon Little League also thanks their 2024 season sponsors, and can be followed online at www.riponlittleleague.org and on Facebook and Instagram @RiponLittleLeague

The 2024 Sponsors of RLL are : Cal Crush, Mid-Cal Constructors, Inc., All Around Ag LLC, Almond Blossom Storage, Degraff Development, C.T. Brayton & Sons, Inc., Coker Pump, Xtra Innings, JAC Farms, LLC ,Farmers Insurance - Ryan Turner, Commercial Specialty, Inc. , Interstate Truck Center, American Scissor Lift, Inc, Arc Worx Inc., Mainline Equipment, Mountain Mike’s Pizza, American Fleet & Auto Service, LDA Partners, LLP, Ace Hardware, GN Plumbing, Enterprise Innovations, Inc., Oak Valley Community Bank and Simplot