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Milton Little League celebrates opening day

The Milton Magic coach pitch softball team rides in the Little League parade. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
April 18, 2024

Milton Little League held its opening-day events April 13, when teams rode on floats and in pickup truck beds from Milton Elementary School to the Little League park on Atlantic Avenue.

The teams were introduced and honors were bestowed for Hometown Hero. Games were then played on all fields.

“Opening day at Milton Little League has always been a special event to be part of,” said Milton Little League President Tony Willey. “I’ve gotten to not only play baseball on these fields as a child, but now I also get the privilege to be president of Milton Little League and get to make this an enjoyable experience for my kids and other children of the community. For the past 20 years, I’ve gotten to be a part of many great events that Milton Little League has hosted on these fields, but opening day definitely is the most fulfilling. Getting to see the excitement on the kids’ faces to play their first Little League game makes all the hard work year round worth it.”

 

The Rockhounds tip their hats to the crowd gathered for the Milton Little League opening-day parade.
The Tin Caps T-ball team rides up Union Street to the Milton Little League park.
The Marauders minor baseball team is swashbuckling through the parade route on Union Street.
The Grizzlies are excited to play on opening day.
The Timber Rattlers are ready to strike with their bats and gloves.
Milton Little League President Tony Willey speaks to the teams and crowd gathered for the opening-day ceremonies on Dr. Tobin Field.
Milton Little League President Tony Willey introduces the Pat Knight championship team from last season.
Milton Little League Board members are in back (l-r) Tara Davis, Casey Reynolds, Jon Goodwin, John O’Brien, Mike Nelson, Peter Czepiel and Robin Davisand. In front are Jen Willey, Melissa Tillinghast, Chrissy Dunn and Tony Willey. Missing from the photo is Michelle Czepiel.
The undefeated 2023 Pat Knight 10-12 team receives its championship sign. The Scrappy Underdogs are (l-r) Nehemiah Woods, coach Tony Willey, Lynken Haines, Jay Dixon, Robert Monaghan, coach Steve Carey and Lane Wyatt.
Milton Little League President Tony Willey, right, presents the Hometown Hero award to Stephen Carey. Carey has been a coach, a groundskeeper, a board member, a Little League officer and much more.
Adeline White, 6, of the Crushers coach pitch team slams a hit.
Tin Caps coach Blake Crosby gives instruction to Connor Alexander, 5.
Jasmine Crosby, 4, of the Tin Caps T-ball team goofs on the diamond.
Milton Little League President Tony Willey gives out a free pack of Tops baseball cards to Roman DiNunzio. Each member of the league received a free pack of cards and a Gatorade bottle.
Marlynn Reynolds gets a hit for the Lug Nuts.
Brody Graves pounds a hit for the Lug Nuts.
Jaxon Crosby scoops up a grounder for the Tin Caps.
The Milton Little League honored Stephen Carey as the Hometown Hero for all his dedication and hard work over the years. Shown are (l-r) Christa Carey, Stephen Carey, John Handley and Tony Willey.
Hometown Hero Stephen Carey throws out the first pitch.
Aiden Veith, left, and Wyatt Wilkinson with the team Space Cowboys make their presence known in the parade.
Hudson Libby of the Timber Rattlers delivers to the plate.
Iyanna Slayton makes a play for the Milton Magic coach pitch team.
Peyton Dunn from the Milton Crushers runs to first after a hit.
Raelynn Reynolds gets a hit for the Crushers.
Coach Kylie Payton holds the mascot for the Yard Goats team.

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Dan has worked for the Cape Gazette for more than 30 years as a photographer and reporter, covering high school sports and happenings around eastern Sussex County. He won a photography award from the National Newspaper Association, and numerous awards from the Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association. A Delaware native, Dan graduated from Cape in 1972 and returned as a teacher and coach in the 1980s. He retired from the classroom in 2016. He was inducted into Cape High’s Legends Stadium in 2016. In his spare time, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, grandchildren and dogs. 

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