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<\/a>Bella Chorvas, 17, sang \u201cThe National Anthem\u201d and Wren Mayor Monica Davis threw out the first pitch of the Little League game between Wren and Convoy.\u00a0A Home Run Derby sported 43 contestants, with bragging rights going to Jacob Kitson, Landon Nowak, Nathan Lichtle, Alex Parks, Caden Hurless, and Payton Knittle<\/p>\n
\u201cIn all the years of the ballpark, we\u2019ve never had an opening day,\u201d said Wren Ball Park Association Vice President Jeremy Kitson, who added his father played baseball there in the 1950s. \u201cThere were third- and fourth generation Wren folks that experienced an opening day for the first time. We look forward to making it an annual thing and improving on what we\u2019ve done.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wren Ball Park Association President Jade Painter thanked the community for turning out, Mayor Davis for participating, and Gibson\u2019s Barnyard Bar-B-Q for providing pulled pork sandwiches for the event.<\/p>\n
\u201cBall players are made in the backyard; the ballpark is just a showcase,\u201d offered Painter. \u201cIf we offer a place where fundamentals are taught and learned in fun, the memories make themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mandy Kitson heads the Women\u2019s Auxiliary, which organized the event.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are so grateful to the families who came out to support the kids,\u201d she noted. \u201cWe were able to raise over $400 for the ball park, which is a great way to open the season.\u201d<\/p>\n
Practices are in full force this week, with games starting this past Monday. If the rain holds off it\u2019s sure to be a great season.<\/p>\n