PORTSMOUTH - Mayor Deaglan McEachern wondered if it had ever snowed on Portsmouth Little League Opening Day.
The answer was no - until Saturday.
"It's kind of like rain on your wedding day, it's really good luck," McEachern proceeded to say to nearly 300 anxious and excited players who were excited for the official start of the 75th Portsmouth Little League season.
With rain and snow in the forecast, Opening Day ceremonies were moved from its traditional location of Leary Field to inside Stone Gymnasium at Portsmouth High School.
"With the weather we've had lately, we really wanted today's Opening Day to be a time for all of the teams to come together," Portsmouth Little League president Jenna Raizes said. "Rather than delay Opening Day, it felt like a time to just get the entire league together. From the 6-year-olds to the 12-year-olds, everybody gets to see the teams, and see (the kids) in uniform; that was the most important piece of the day."
Who are the Portsmouth Little League teams this season
There are 292 players across 25 teams split between four divisions/age groups this season. Additionally, there are more than 100 coaches and volunteers.
"The energy was great with the kids today," Raizes said. "(The kids) weren't cold. Typically down at Leary Field, at the beginning of the season, it can be hit or miss on the wind, and hit or miss on the chill factor. It was great to see the kids cheer and be close to every other team in the league (today)."
There are 10 teams in the Central Division, which is comprised of kids between the ages of 6 and 8, this season. Those teams include National Wrecker, IOOF, Portsmouth Police Relief Association, Mighty Roots, Silverback Builders, TJ Berky, VFW Post 168, MB2 Restore, State Farm - Aileen Dugan, and River Birch Builders.
There are seven teams in the 10-and-under Plains Division. Those teams include Brewster's Bait & Tackle, The Shanty, Portsmouth Elks Lodge No. 97, Kane Insurance, Mojo's West End Tavern, Knights of Columbus and Booma American Legion Post 6.
The six teams in the 12-and-under Hislop Division are Harvey's Embroidery, Rotary Club of Portsmouth, Ricci Construction, Insurcomm, Kiwanis Club of The Seacoast, and Piscataqua Landscaping.
The Challenger Division, also known as the Buffalo Wild Wings Division, is split between the gold and black teams on game days.
Portsmouth Little League players ready for a new season
