BACK TOGETHER AGAIN
Saratoga-Wilton Youth Baseball players finally get on the field for their Opening Day
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY » Late on Friday night and early Saturday morning, playing baseball seemed to be in doubt. After waiting months, delayed by the coronavirus, it was rain that nearly postponed Saratoga-Wilton Youth Baseball’s opening day even further.
Fortunately the sun came out and all that was needed was a half-hour delay to get the fields ready for baseball.
“I just missed not being able to see all my friends everyday,” said 12 year-old Jack Rigabar on what he missed from the shutdown.
“We couldn’t see each other for awhile and we were just sitting at home doing online learning. Now we’re all back together and able to play baseball.”
While youth baseball has returned to Saratoga, it isn’t the same as it was the last time these kids stepped on the field.
With an umpire in the middle of the field, as opposed to behind the plate, and limits to the amounts of players in the dugout and fans at the park, these new rules will take some getting used to.
“It was always fun having everyone up on the fence,
cheering and screaming for our teammates,” Rigabar said.
“Now we aren’t able to do that.”
The 12 year-old is going to have a lot of games this summer to get used to it, as he plays on the Cal Ripken recreation team, as well as a travel team.
“I really just want to continue winning games, especially with my travel team. We’re two-time state champions,” he said.
After several long months with so much uncertainty, Jack and his teammates are glad to finally be back on the field in familiar territory, even if it looks a little different.
“I missed being with my teammates and going to practices. Playing baseball is my favorite thing to do.”