A steady circling of winds marked a "not quite baseball weather…yet" kind of day for the first day of Chestnut Hill Youth Sports Club’s Junior Baseball at the Water Tower Recreation Center on Saturday, prompting everyone to “huddle up” amid the hustle and bustle of opening day. 

But the chilly spring day was warmed up by almost 100 people out on the field, who were ready to embrace the club’s 62nd season with 10 junior baseball teams matched up for friendly scrimmages.

"While it was not quite baseball weather, it sure felt like the beginning of something special," said Morgan Salmon, whose two sons, William and Field, both turned out to play. William is a rookie on the Drillers Team while Field is a Minor on the Angels Team.

Players for six Quickball teams, two Rookies teams, and two Minors teams showed up by 8 a.m., and Commissioner Dan Greenberg kicked off the festivities by introducing the day’s special guest, the Phillie Phanatic. The morning also featured music by DJ Jared and raffling off Phillies tickets to some early attendees. Greenberg, who coaches many CHYSC sports teams, grew up playing on the same diamonds his children are running the bases on now. 

"What a fun start to the 2024 season, having the Phanatic toss out our first pitch!” Greenberg said. "I’m excited to be bringing baseball back at the Water Tower for all 10 Junior Baseball teams, for lots of fun in all three divisions this spring."

But before they got there, a whole team of volunteer parents had been at work, and the baseball diamond was freshly graded, crisply lined, and the just-trimmed grass was glowing from recent rains. 

"The infields look great – as always,” said Salmon, who signed up to help 

Aidan Robinson as field maintenance coordinator this season. “I’m glad the club does not have a fear of asking for help.”

Robinson, or “Coach Aidan,” as the kids call him, is also a parent of two CHYSC players and has been a volunteer coach for many years. 

"Max Marion Landais – his first season and getting two extra-base hits, a triple and a double – that’s a highlight of today on the pitch for sure," said Coach Ryan Chase of the Minors Dodgers. Chase and his wife Elizabeth are both volunteer coaches for teams on which their two children, Hannah and Jordan, play. Jordan is playing this season for the Minors Dodgers.  

"It's all about the good energy on the field, everyone is playing their best,” said soccer coach Chris Dalbey, also a Mt. Airy parent.