Saturday, June 6, 2015
Nothing says summer like the crack of a bat and the cheers of a crowd. That’s why Decatur always starts its opening day of youth league baseball with a parade. Teams pass by in the beds of pickup trucks as they make their way from McKoy Park to Oakhurst Park holding handmade signs and screaming team chants.
The parade winds its way down the road and into the park where the opening pitch is thrown, this year by former Atlanta Hawks player Mike Glenn, and the official start to summer ball begins.
Teams with the Decatur Youth Baseball program ride in the back of trucks down East Lake Drive during a parade to celebrate opening day of the season on Saturday, June 6, 2015.
Teams with the Decatur Youth Baseball program ride in the back of trucks down East Lake Drive during a parade to celebrate opening day of the season on Saturday, June 6, 2015.
Teams with the Decatur Youth Baseball program ride in the back of trucks down East Lake Drive during a parade to celebrate opening day of the season on Saturday, June 6, 2015.
Teams with the Decatur Youth Baseball program ride in the back of trucks down East Lake Drive during a parade to celebrate opening day of the season on Saturday, June 6, 2015.
Jessica Smith (center) waves as teams with the Decatur Youth Baseball program ride in the back of trucks down East Lake Drive during a parade to celebrate opening day of the season on Saturday, June 6, 2015.
Teams with the Decatur Youth Baseball program ride in the back of trucks down East Lake Drive during a parade to celebrate opening day of the season on Saturday, June 6, 2015.
Teams with the Decatur Youth Baseball program walk out onto the field at Oakhurst Park for the opening day ceremony on Saturday, June 6, 2015.
Artesha Chaney uses a bullhorn as she sings the national anthem during the ceremony for the opening day of Decatur Youth Baseball at Oakhurst Park on Saturday, June 6, 2015.
Keisha Cunningham (left) talks to teams using a bullhorn during the ceremony for the opening day of Decatur Youth Baseball at Oakhurst Park on Saturday, June 6, 2015.
Mike Glenn (right), a former Atlanta Hawks player, walks out onto the field during the ceremony for the opening day of Decatur Youth Baseball at Oakhurst Park on Saturday, June 6, 2015.
Clarence Scott (left), Harry Flourny and Mike Glenn, all former pro athletes, participate in the ceremony for the opening day of Decatur Youth Baseball at Oakhurst Park on Saturday, June 6, 2015.
Mike Glenn (right), a former Atlanta Hawks player, throws out the opening pitch during the ceremony for the opening day of Decatur Youth Baseball at Oakhurst Park on Saturday, June 6, 2015.
Players gear up for their games as the ceremony for the opening day of Decatur Youth Baseball comes to a close at Oakhurst Park on Saturday, June 6, 2015.
Coach Brett Duke (center) talks to his team as the ceremony for the opening day of Decatur Youth Baseball comes to a close at Oakhurst Park on Saturday, June 6, 2015.
Aidan Knapp (center left) and his team cheer as the ceremony for the opening day of Decatur Youth Baseball comes to a close at Oakhurst Park on Saturday, June 6, 2015.