The Omega Delta Youth Baseball & Softball League kicked off its 2021 season with opening day celebrations, ceremonies and games on Saturday, May 8, 2021, at Chicago's Hoyne Park, 3417 S. Hamilton Ave. The league, an all-volunteer non-profit organization, returns after being one of the only youth sports organizations continuing play through 2020 in the McKinley Park neighborhood and citywide.
Opening day brought out dozens of parents, coaches and players, who ranged in age from 4-year-old T-ball players to teen-age young women softballers. Danny Gaichas, who heads the all-volunteer league and devotes countless hours every year to running it, welcomed the crowd, shared announcements and led parents, players and coaches through the sportsmanship pledge that all in Omega Delta are required to follow.
"Swear on the holy ground of Hoyne Park to be the best players, parents and coaches you can be," Gaichas said.
Elected officials participated in opening day, including Cook County 7th District Commissioner Alma Anaya, who threw out the first pitch of the season.
More Sponsors for League
Illinois 1st District State Senator Antonio "Tony" Muñoz welcomed and spoke to Omega Delta's value in building baseball skills. "The main thing is to have fun," Muñoz said. "Everyone is a winner."
A growing slate of sponsors for the league includes the Chicago Cubs Diamond Project, which has pledged to bring a scoreboard to Hoyne Park, with installation anticipated soon, Gaichas said. Other sponsors include Target, Country Financial, elected officials and others.
In addition to its regular season games and practices, Omega Delta is also now hosting a family movie night at Hoyne Park on the second Saturday evening of each month. The next Movies in the Park is set for Saturday, June 12.
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The youngest T-ball players in Omega Delta Youth Baseball & Softball League line up from home base to get ready for the opening day ceremony on Saturday, May 8, 2021, in Hoyne Park, 3417 S. Hamilton Ave., Chicago.
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Omega Delta Youth Baseball & Softball League head Danny Gaichas welcomes players, parents and guests to opening day on Saturday, May 8, 2021, at Hoyne Park, 3471 S. Hamilton Ave., Chicago.
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Players and parents in the Omega Delta Youth Baseball & Softball League attend to the opening day ceremony on Saturday, May 8, 2021, in Hoyne Park, 3471 S. Hamilton Ave., Chicago.
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Illinois 1st District State Senator Antonio "Tony" Muñoz welcomes Omega Delta Youth Baseball & Softball players, coaches and parents to opening day on Saturday, May 8, 2021, at Hoyne Park, 3417 S. Hamilton Ave., Chicago.
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Players in the minor Padres team of the Omega Delta Youth Baseball & Softball League line up in advance of opening day ceremonies on Saturday, May 8, 2021, at Hoyne Park, 3417 S. Hamilton Ave., Chicago.
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Parents and coaches prep food for the all-volunteer Omega Delta Youth Baseball & Softball League during opening day celebrations on Saturday, May 8, 2021, at Hoyne Park, 3417 S. Hamilton Ave., Chicago.
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Players, parents and coaches of the Omega Delta Youth Baseball & Softball League line up on the base lines for opening day ceremonies on Saturday, May 8, 2021, at Hoyne Park, 3417 S. Hamilton Ave., Chicago.
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Cook County 7th District Commissioner Alma Anaya throws out the first pitch of the season for the Omega Delta Youth Baseball & Softball League following opening ceremonies on Saturday, May 8, 2021, at Hoyne Park, 3417 S. Hamilton Ave., Chicago.
The youngest T-ball players in Omega Delta Youth Baseball & Softball League line up from home base to get ready for the opening day ceremony on Saturday, May 8, 2021, in Hoyne Park, 3417 S. Hamilton Ave., Chicago.
Omega Delta Youth Baseball & Softball League head Danny Gaichas welcomes players, parents and guests to opening day on Saturday, May 8, 2021, at Hoyne Park, 3471 S. Hamilton Ave., Chicago.
Players and parents in the Omega Delta Youth Baseball & Softball League attend to the opening day ceremony on Saturday, May 8, 2021, in Hoyne Park, 3471 S. Hamilton Ave., Chicago.
Illinois 1st District State Senator Antonio "Tony" Muñoz welcomes Omega Delta Youth Baseball & Softball players, coaches and parents to opening day on Saturday, May 8, 2021, at Hoyne Park, 3417 S. Hamilton Ave., Chicago.
Players in the minor Padres team of the Omega Delta Youth Baseball & Softball League line up in advance of opening day ceremonies on Saturday, May 8, 2021, at Hoyne Park, 3417 S. Hamilton Ave., Chicago.
Parents and coaches prep food for the all-volunteer Omega Delta Youth Baseball & Softball League during opening day celebrations on Saturday, May 8, 2021, at Hoyne Park, 3417 S. Hamilton Ave., Chicago.
Players, parents and coaches of the Omega Delta Youth Baseball & Softball League line up on the base lines for opening day ceremonies on Saturday, May 8, 2021, at Hoyne Park, 3417 S. Hamilton Ave., Chicago.
Cook County 7th District Commissioner Alma Anaya throws out the first pitch of the season for the Omega Delta Youth Baseball & Softball League following opening ceremonies on Saturday, May 8, 2021, at Hoyne Park, 3417 S. Hamilton Ave., Chicago.
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