PHOTOS: Ellwood City Amateur Baseball Season Begins!!!

The Ellwood City Amateur Baseball Federation (ECABF), one of western Pennsylvania’s oldest amateur baseball programs, held their 73rd Annual Opening Day on Saturday at the Ewing Park Baseball Complex.

Players from the Little League, Minor League, Farm League and Tee-Ball League participated in a parade to Freidhoff Field-the home of the first Little League program, in Lawrence, Beaver, Butler and Mercer counties.

Seventeen teams, led by Mayor Anthony Court, were greeted by the Ellwood City Wolverines’ Head Coach Chris Weisz, his staff and varsity players.

ECABF board member Mike Widmaier greeted the players, coaches and fans before the ceremonies began. Mayor Court addressed the players and remarked that it was seemed that it was just yesterday that he was playing on Freidhoff Field. Court told the players to listen to your coaches, be grateful for your parents, make everlasting friendships with your teammates and, most importantly, to cherish the memories.

Widmaier then introduced to the audience, Dave and Kathy Woloszyn, volunteers for many years in the amateur baseball program. Their son, Carter Woloszyn, a former player in the program who passed away last May, was remembered by the ECABF. With many of Carter’s former teammates and coaches in attendance, a glass-encased commemorative bat used by Carter was presented to his parents. ECABF President Heath Pflugh followed by introducing each team and their players on the public address system.

The ECABF has provided organized baseball for Ellwood City School District youths, ages 4-18, since 1950. Games will be held nightly at Sanders and Freidhoff Fields at the Ewing Park Baseball Complex and at Rosanna Field. The season concludes with the 71st Ellwood City Little League Summer Classic at Freidhoff Field- the second oldest Little League tournament in the United States next to the Little League World Series.

For program news, information and schedules, visit www.ellwoodcitybaseball.com.