The sun rises on Little League baseball in one small town

By Will Farrington
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer

For a small town in northeastern Maryland, Little League Opening Day is practically a holiday.

Rising Sun, Maryland, is the home of barely 3,000 people. There are only two main roads that lead in and out of the town and only two stoplights in total. A McDonald’s is the most popular place in town.

On opening day, April 13, the entire town will shut down and celebrate the new Little League season. Main street will be blocked off to accommodate the enormous parade of well over 30 teams that walk about a mile from the local middle school to the ballfields.

“Ohh it’s a fantastic day,” said Nate Paul, an assistant coach “It seems like the town really comes out to support the kids and everyone is in just a terrific mood. Opening day is certainly a very prideful day for Rising Sun.”

Coaches and players are escorted throughout the town by a convoy of Rising Sun firetrucks and police cars while proud parents, members of the community and business owners look on from sidewalks and the porches of their homes.

If a little leaguer is lucky, he or she will be greeted by onlookers with warm cheers, waves and handfuls of bubblegum and lollypops.

“My favorite part of the whole day is when people throw candy at me and my teammates,” said 11-year-old Callum McCullough, who will be starting at shortstop for the Major Squad Reds.

Once the parade ends, all the players and coaches are invited onto the field for the National Anthem, Little League Pledge, and opening remarks made by Rising Sun Little League officials.

Black and orange balloons, the town colors, float above the stands and ballpark fences while the smell of grilled hotdogs fills the air.

After the pregame ceremonies wrap up, the opening day game will take place on Field B and the season will officially be underway.

“To me, its just an awesome experience,” said coach Derek Adams. “I got to play in these same opening games about seven or eight years ago and now I have the pleasure of coaching my younger brother, Ben. I’m really glad that we have the opportunity to share such a cool experience.”

There is little doubt that the people of this small town invest heavily into the sport of baseball. The parents want their children to have fun, but they also want them to do well.

“There is a lot of passion about baseball in Rising Sun because people care so much and want to see their kids succeed,” said Kevin McCullough, a former umpire and now head coach.

At the end of the year, the best players from each team are chosen to represent the town as All-Stars. If that team can continue to find ways to win, then they could find themselves in the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

“As you enter town,” Kevin McCullough said, “you can very easily notice the sign that lists all the years Rising Sun Baseball has won Regional and State play. I’m sure no one would mind at all if we added a couple more years to that thing.”

Volunteers are currently hustling to get the fields in shape and preparations are being made to plan the Little League parade.

The grocery store is even getting in on the fun.

“We already have set aside some candy to throw at the kids when they get close to the store,” said Martin’s employee Victoria Fultz, “we are so excited.”

Little League’s long-awaited return is almost over. As the bunting is hung and balloons are blown up, baseball creeps that much closer.