ELLENVILLE – The mix of youngsters — tee ballers, minors, majors and girls softball players— may have worn different colors on their uniforms, but their eager anticipation and huge smiles were all the same. Parents made last-minute adjustments by straightening their children's ball caps, tucking in shirts and tying shoes. Dedicated volunteers lined up the teams, laid down lines along the diamond and corralled wayward players on the sunlit, warm morning.

Hayden Budd, 5, anxiously waited for the opening ceremony to begin. This is the second year of tee ball for #12 of the Reds, his mother said. Next to him, four-year-old Lyla Denman shyly glanced from under the brim of her ball cap and said she was excited for her very first game ever.

Donovan Becker, 11, of the Braves, said he likes everything about Little League — especially playing third base and shortstop. This is his fifth year playing ball, and he even sees a professional future for himself in the sport.

Mary Robles smiled as her son, nine-year-old Andrew, used his cap as an improvised catcher's mitt in practice. She said Andrew is a member of the Angels team and that he loves the social aspect of the league because he likes to play ball with his friends.

Michael Barrett waited patiently at the concession stand as his son Malik, 5, bought refreshments.

"I played Little League myself," Barrett said. "I like to see them have fun. And it gives them something to do."

Mets Coach Alfred Ghisolfi had nothing but praise for the Ellenville Little League. He has coached his son Noah's team for the past five years, and coaches his son Maddox's team as well.

"This wouldn't happen without volunteers spending their time," Ghisolfi said. "You can't have Little League without the parents' help."

He said his job as a coach is to teach children the basics, but more importantly it is to help them fall in love with the game.

"They start at the beginning of the season a little unsure," Ghisolfi said. "But by the end of the season, their confidence comes out and they can't wait to play each game and do their best."

Sixty years and counting... Ellenville Little League held its opening day on Saturday, April 27, as it has each year since the first one was held in 1953. And with its first pitches, they joined the Pine Bush League, which kicked off its 2013 season a couple of weeks ago, and Rondout Valley — which also started up last weekend — for what promises to be another early summer of playing ball.

In Ellenville on Saturday, Sam Lonstein sported catcher's gear as he caught fastballs.

"I like being involved and being active," said Sam, whose grandfather Martin volunteered in the league years ago and helped move the fields to Edwards Place. "I like to sit around, but I also like to get outside and play ball."

Ulster County Legislator T.J. Briggs was the master of ceremonies for the day.

"We are not only celebrating opening day, we are celebrating Hometown Heroes Day," Briggs told the crowd. He explained the meaning of the hometown hero... the sort who don't wear a cape or tights; rather, they take time out of their busy schedules to concentrate on making the community a place for young and old.

"These people volunteer not to get their names or pictures in the paper," Briggs explained. "They do it because it's the right thing to do."

Seven hard-working volunteers were chosen to toss out the ceremonial first pitch (or pitches, as it were). After Mali Bugna and Emily Barbosa sang a harmonious rendition of the national anthem, Little League President Sam Bugna took the pitcher's mound as the first honoree. Briggs noted that Bugna, also the director of the Ellenville/Wawarsing Youth Commission, was named the 2012 YMCA Woman of the Year.

Longtime Little Leaguer Steve Grundt, now an Ellenville Fire Department officer and chief paramedic of the Ellenville First Aid & Rescue Squad, threw the next ball. Then came Carl Pabon, principal of Ellenville High School; Ellenville Police Lt. Mike Doria; Ellenville Regional Hospital Chief Nursing Officer and Little League liaison Ann Marie Kelly; Wawarsing Town Judge Charlie Dechon. Hometown hero Eric Wright was not there, but was honored as well.

"Parents, be proud of your children," Briggs concluded. "And what's our favorite two words we like to say this time of year?"

A chorus of players and parents answered him, "Play ball!"