Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Inwood Little League Kicks Off Season With Annual Parade

By Nigel Chiwaya | April 8, 2013 9:02am

INWOOD — The Inwood Little League kicked off its 63rd season with its annual parade and hundreds of enthusiastic children marching through Broadway over the weekend.

Greeted by clear skies and warm weather, more than 450 kids marched from Dyckman Street to West 218th Street Saturday morning. They were joined by the marching bands of Mother Cabrini High School and I.S. 52, along with parents, supporters and elected officials.

"This is a great event," said Michael Jimenez, a former coach in the league. "This is a great thing for our kids. It provides them so much support and shows them doing something positive."

Others said the league introduces children to competition and sportsmanship.

"It's the birth of athletics and innocence at its best," said Juan Hernandez, coach of Inwood Pharmacy's team. "The kids are out here full of energy and good vibes."

The parade concluded at Inwood Hill Park, where the league handed out two $200 scholarships to players and City Council members Robert Jackson and Ydanis Rodriguez threw out ceremonial first pitches.

Before the games started, however, Jackson had a message for any overzealous parents — this was not Yankee Stadium and the players weren't in the big leagues yet.

"Parents, this is little league, not professional," Jackson said. "Please don't expect professional results."