There's nothing like a Little League game, especially when the kids are still playing more for fun than winning. An equal number of moms as dads fill the stands; everyone claps no matter whether a batter swings while striking out or connects with the ball and stands there a second, smiling, as everyone yells for him to run for first base.

Yes, the competitive part of it all remains important, especially for those who've moved up into the "majors" side of it all, when most teams start becoming gender-specific, and the maleness of it all starts to strut a bit more.

All around the Shawangunks, baseball is in the air... and not just at high schools, or on the television on weekends and at nights. The season has finally started.

In Ellenville this past Saturday, April 26, Ulster County Legislator TJ Briggs, emceed Opening Day once again (his tenth season, we are told) during early morning opening ceremonies. "Little League renews your faith in youth and all that goes with being young and playing and having fun. It's always great to see the parents out with their kids for the day and for the games," he noted. "After the winter this is one of the first things of the spring, and you see these kids and their enthusiasm and the joy and the pure innocence of it... A wonderful day!"

Briggs himself was presented with a plaque.

"I've umpired for twenty years now, at least. And I mow the grass on the field," he noted with a laugh. "I grew up on that side of town; as a kid we played at the field all summer long. And when I was mayor, I noticed that when the Little League was over the grass was left to grow knee high so I started mowing it to keep it neat."

Ellenville, with four major league teams and a host of kids in minors, keeps "a good balance," according to Briggs. The schedule runs until June 14 when playoffs begin.

As for other play around the region...

Indian Valley, which covers most of the Rondout Valley School District, started play this past Saturday as well, maintains four major league teams for boys, and ends its regular play on June 6, after which playoffs start.

Mamakating Little League, which has noted on its Facebook page that they still need umpires, opened its season on April 22 at a similar size to the rest, with four majors teams, and plays through June 14 after which playoffs start.

The Pine Bush Little League opened its play on April 12 and has four girls' major league teams and six boys' majors. Playoffs begin Monday June 9 and end June 14.

Little League is organized under the rules of the Williamsport, PA, Little League and Little League World Series, a tournament (group of tournaments really) for major league players ages 11-13 years old in August in Williamsport. It has become a worldwide tournament.

For those with younger kids playing, things start around age five with T-Ball, where the trick is to hit a ball from a standing plastic T... and make sure one runs in the right direction. We've seen entire games at this level come to a halt when a deer appears in the distance, or someone with candy. Starting around age six, boys and girls join minor league teams, half the time by random lottery, other times by coaches' choice. The idea is to learn the game and have fun... scores tend to be kept by kids, but not in standings' form. At season's end everyone gets trophies and the chance, if really into it, to compete in travel leagues.

For parents, good sportsmanship, team mindfulness, and just getting tired out are the goals. Along with ample time hanging out outside, watching kids play amidst the bursting forth of spring.

Play ball!