Spring has arrived and the Jericho baseball season is upon us once again. The Jericho Athletic Association tradition of having an Opening Day Baseball Parade was welcomed this year with a beautiful sunshiny day. On Saturday April 5, over 700 baseball participants, along with their coaches and parents marched from the Milleridge Inn to the Jackson School baseball fields with all our future major leaguers in their colorful baseball uniforms.

The highlight speakers were Lindsey Schnitt and Justin Resnick, both outstanding Jericho High School athletes, as well as outstanding academic students, who are in their senior year and will be off to college in the fall. Both Lindsey and Justin spoke about their positive experiences when they participated in the Jericho Athletic Association various sports programs.

Hank Grishman, Superintendent of Schools, spoke about the JAA providing a safe and healthy sports environment for the children of the Jericho Community.

Harold Wanderman, JAA Executive Board member applauded the generous response of the residents of Jericho to the JAA initiative of having a defibrillator stationed on each baseball diamond in our school district. To date, over 125 residents have been trained by the Jericho Fire District in AED/CPR.

Jack Schnitt, president of the JAA, thanked everyone for coming out and being part of our Opening Day Parade. He extended his gratitude to the Jericho School Board, along with the school's administrations continued support of our various sport programs. He also noted a special thanks to Bill Coyle, JAA Director of Baseball and Gary Strauss, president of our Baseball program for their hard work in organizing the baseball season. Bill Coyle was awarded a special plaque, for after 15 years running the baseball program for the Association he will be 'hanging' up his spikes and retiring from the JAA. We all wish Bill the best, and the community thanks you for your dedication to your community and the thousands of children who have participated in our program, you will be missed.

Jack also noted the hard work of everyone on the Jericho Athletic Association's Executive Board, the baseball Division Heads and the 150 plus coaches who volunteer their time and energy for the kids. Through these individual's tireless efforts and dedication to the community, the Jericho Athletic Association provides a wonderful sport program for the children of the Jericho School District.

Jessica Kantorowitz, a fourth grade student at the Solomon Schecter School sang the National Anthem followed by the traditional first ball of the season being thrown out by Nico Doria, representing all of the children in our program. The JAA then served up the traditional baseball meal of hot dogs and soda and your could hear the umpire say "play ball".