As has been the trend over the past few weeks, mother nature looked to stir up some trouble and deter Carlstadt residents from enjoying the festivities of Opening Day for Carlstadt Little League. The temperature was just above freezing at 36 degrees with the wind chill making it that much colder yet that did not stop our players, coaches and parents alike from participating in our annual parade that kicked off at 9:00 am in front of Borough Hall on Madison Street.

Followed by our local EMS volunteers as well as the Fire Department with sirens blaring, boys and girls on all levels made their way down to Peter Rasmus Field to partake in the ceremony that begins our day of play each and every year. Along the way, League President Joe Emerson invited the family of the recently departed Alphonse "Funzi" Iannuzzi Sr. onto the field as they were all presented with plaques honoring his life and the legacy he left behind relative to his love and commitment for the game of baseball in Carlstadt for more than fifty years.

Shortly thereafter, the business of baseball began for the 2017 season.

Beginning with the Tee Ballers on both the Majors and Minors Fields, fans got to see the future of Carlstadt Baseball & Softball. As these youngsters were getting started, we received a visit from a friend that we made last year in Jack the Jackal. He stopped by and made his presence known walking through the stands, greeting the fans, taking photos with those in attendance and even chasing our President around the bases not once, but TWICE as our Minor Leaguers were preparing to get their game started.

TomRoc Financial and Yur Drivers had an exciting game renewing a town rivalry dating back to last season. When all was said and done, TomRoc was able to prevail by a final score of 3-0. The games would continue as the Juniors sponsored by Kimak Funeral Home lost a heartbreaker to Kearny Bank of Wood Ridge. It was a back-and-forth affair. Trailing by one run in the bottom of the 6th, Kimak got a runner to third base but was unable to bring him home to force extra innings as they fell to 0-1 on the season losing by a score of 5-4.

The Majors representatives...the Fire Department had a much easier time in their first contest of the season earning a 10-0 victory over APC of Wallington scoring their tenth run in the bottom of the 4th to close things out.

Closing out the day, our Softballers, sponsored by Quick Chek were victorious improving to 1-0 on the season defeating Lyndhurst Advanced 12-5. 

All-in-all, a very fun and successful day on the diamond for Carlstadt Little League!