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AHOSKIE – “Are ya’ll ready to play ball,” asked Doug White, Director of Ahoskie Parks and Recreation, on a bright and sunny Saturday morning at the Ahoskie Creek ballparks.

The answer was a resounding “yeeeeees” from what looked like a sea of colors standing in front of him as members and coaches of the 29 teams participating in the 2025 youth baseball and softball leagues gathered for the official start of the season on May 10.

Each of the 29 teams, dressed in their colorful uniforms, had paraded onto Field #1 (Parker Field) for their official introductions. White named off each of those teams and personally thanked each sponsor whose contributions to the betterment of youth athletics is what makes the league an overwhelming success each and every year. Those teams are as follows:

Tee Ball League – Rich Square Market, RCCHC, ENC, Roof Masters, Enviva, P.B. Transport, Stitch Count, and Roberts Landscaping.

8U Baseball – Davie Lodge #39, Trico Grading, Be the Change Education Center, and Bradley & Son.

8U Softball – Cat Dreams US, Cullipher’s Painting, Duck Thru, and Southern Bank.

10U Baseball – Brittenham’s, Classic Rentals, Basnight, and Enviva.

10U Softball – Tree Top Timber, Jernigan Oil, and Lewiston-Woodville Gin.

12U Baseball – Carolina East Forest Products, Swing Angry, and W.O.W Woodmen of the World.

12U Softball – Vaughan’s Plumbing, Law Dawg Landscaping, and Dragon Slayers.

With Saturday marking 24 hours in advance of Mother’s Day, White also paid tribute to all the baseball and softball moms in attendance.

“It’s the season of dirty uniforms and it’s the moms who make all of you kids look good on game day by washing your clothes,” he stressed. “We need to give all the moms a big round of applause.”

Additionally, White thanked DJ Jesse for providing the audio for the Opening Day ceremony.

White introduced a special guest, Josh Morris, a former umpire for the local youth league who is now the Pastor of Ross Baptist Church. Morris provided words of encouragement for the young athletes as well as offering up a prayer of protection over the league.

“You will face opposition, here on the ballfields and in your life,” Morris said. “That may be the umpires you may think are against you or maybe it’s your opponent or even your own coach. Maybe it’s something you are up against in school. But it’s up to you how you handle opposition.”

Ross also spoke of how to be humble in enjoying victory and how to handle the sting of defeat.

“I hope each of you do well in this league,” he stated. “I pray blessings upon you in your life. But above all these things you must have humility. Always be looking to improve. God has given you gifts to use on this field and in your lives. You need to be thankful for those gifts.”

He cited scripture (the book of James, Chapter 4) where it says to give grace to the humbled.

“You can have successes in your life, but if you don’t humble yourselves before God, if you don’t submit your lives to Him, He does not give grace,” Morris explained.

Morris also encouraged the parents and the coaches to set a good example by being humble in victory and defeat.

Saturday’s ceremony also served as a salute to a huge accomplishment last season by the Ahoskie youth league. The 2024 Ahoskie 10U softball All-Stars won the Tar Heel District 7 title and then went on to win the state championship. The members and the coaches of that team were introduced and the state championship banner was unfurled. A metal sign bearing the names of the players and coaches of the state championship team was unveiled. The sign will be affixed to the concession stand at the ballpark.

Members of the state championship team are Allyson Vaughan, Leslie Jernigan, Eva Davis, Abby Cale, Allison Burby, Mary Welch Gallop, Annsleigh Revelle, Avery McGee, Colleen Jones, Casey Piland, Cally Piland, and Macey Farmer. Coaches are Michael Vaughan, Mark McGee, Michael Kellett, and Thomas Jernigan.

This writer was awarded the honor of throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.

Leslie Jernigan performed the National Anthem followed by everyone in attendance – players, coaches, parents, and fans – yelling those famous words – Play Ball!

The Ahoskie Youth League will host games on most weeknights and some Saturdays through mid June. Admission is free and concessions are offered for sale.