Huntington Valley LL holds Opening Day ceremonies Saturday

Huntington Valley Little League will launch its 2000 season

Saturday with it annual Pancake Breakfast and Opening Day Ceremonies,

which will feature the dedication of Inspiration Field, the newly,

refurbished major field at Wardlow park.

the day begins with the 7 a.m. pancake breakfast, followed by special

appearances by the Huntington Beach police and fire departments. Opening

Day Ceremonies will begin at 10:45 a.m. and will culminate with a ribbon

cutting ceremony to dedicate Inspiration Field.

The dedication will include the presentation of a permanent plaque

commemorating the 70 home runs hit by Mark McGwire. Representatives from

the Major League Baseball Players Association will be present, along with

Huntington Beach Mayor Dave Garofalo and various city council members.

Former Major League Baseball player Jim Abbott will throw the first

pitch.

Huntington Valley Little League President Renee Aumiller has said that

Inspiration Field was made possible in part by a generous grant from the

Major League Baseball Players Trust for Children, in honor of Mark

McGwire’s outstanding 1998 season, and dedicated by the members of the

MLBPA to all the children -- past, present, and future - who ever dreamed

of setting their own records.

“Mark (McGwire) chose Huntington Beach as the site of Inspiration Field,”

said Donald M. Fehr, executive director of the MLBPA. “This way, he can

be sure that long after he finishes playing the game of baseball, the

kids of Huntington Valley Little League will always remember his

contribution to them.”