Opening day
Legendary Commerce coach Ray Lamb will throw out the ceremonial first pitch Saturday morning to kick off the Commerce Parks and Recreation Department’s 2008 softball and baseball seasons.
Lamb coached the Commerce High School Tiger football team for 22 years, compiling a 190-58 record. Currently coordinator of high school relations for the University of Georgia Bulldogs, he will open both the baseball and softball seasons. Ceremonies start at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 29, on the Bambino field at American Veterans Memorial Park.
Craig Fischer of WJJC Radio will serve as master of ceremonies, and all 29 teams in the program, from T-ball (age 5) to Sophomore Baseball (ages 13-14) will be introduced — after which Lamb will throw out the first pitch.
Opening games in all age divisions will start at about noon Saturday, March 29, at AVM Park and Richard Ridling Field. There will be photo sessions for many teams, and inflatable games on Gordon Field at AVM Park.
Chickenque Pickup Changed
Wayne Abbs and Wayne-Neal Chevrolet will host a chickenque Saturday to benefit the youth programs, and ticket sales were so brisk that the pickup location had to be changed.
Recreation Director Lonnie Dickerson said the new pickup location will be in front of Lanier Technical College on South Elm Street due to the expected increase in traffic that could have created safety concerns at Veterans Memorial Park.
All plates are pre-sold, so a ticket purchased from a player will be required. Pickup time is still 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
“Assisted by his staff and volunteers, Mr. Abbs is procuring all materials and is also cooking and preparing all the food,” Dickerson said. “All the money from sales is being donated to the program by Mr. Abbs.
