More than 600 New Hyde Park Little Leaguers gathered at Leonard Boulevard and Jericho Turnpike for the annual New Hyde Park Little League Parade that ended at Nuzzi ballpark for a wonderful ceremony.

Although the day was a little nippy, it was beautiful and the boys and girls were splendid, decked out in the uniforms of their particular sponsors, under the leadership of president Tom Pellegrino.

As usual, the parade was attended by many dignitaries who took the time out of their busy day to support the team, including New York State Senator Craig Johnson, Assemblyman Thomas McKevitt, Nassau County Legislator Richard Nicolello, North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jon Kaiman, New Hyde Park Village Mayor Daniel Petruccio, trustee Richard Coppola, who is also a former president of the New Hyde Park Little League, and New Hyde Park Village Justice Chris Devane.

Genna Fornatano led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance; Holy Spirit Pastor Father Tony Stanganelli gave the blessing and newly installed New York State Senator Craig Johnson, when called to the mike to say a few words to the group, gave the all-time shortest speech. He said, "I just have two words for all of you, Play Ball!" It was hard for the rest of the dignitaries to top that, because Johnson set the pace so from then on they all kept their words to the barest minimum.