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ALACHUA ‒ Perfect weather and a full schedule of baseball drew crowds to Alachua's Hal Brady Recreation Complex on Saturday for the Babe Ruth 37TH Opening Day Jamboree. Seven games were played at Hal Brady, and one at Copeland, from Tball up to Seniors division. The aroma of BBQ, the crack of bat on ball and clouds of spring pollen were all in the air as parents, fans and children gathered to celebrate America's favorite pastime.

Dignitaries present for the opening ceremony were Alachua Mayor Gib Coerper, Vice Mayor Jennifer Blalock, and Commissioners Shirley Green Brown, and Dayna Miller were joined by Chief of Police Jesse Sandusky, City Manager Mike DaRoza, Parks and Rec Director Damon Messina and Finance Director: Rob Bonetti. City of High Springs dignitaries included Mayor Gloria James, Chief of Police: Antoine Sheppard and Assistant City Manager: Bruce Gillingham. Also present were Santa Fe Babe Ruth Board members and special guests Santa Fe High School Junior Varsity and Varsity Baseball.

High Springs Boy Scouts Troop #69 served as Color Guard and Rachael Goll of Canvas Church sang the National Anthem. Preston Howell offered the invocation.

Getting the games underway, the ceremonial First Pitch was thrown by Hall Brady, Alachua’s former recreation director, to catcher Lucas Moore.

The Hal Brady Award was presented by Will Moore to recipient Paul Buchner.

Teams were sponsored by Alachua Plumbing, Rosenboom Construction, El Toro, Q&D Painting, Stellar Services, Lawful Defense, North Florida Buildings, Piesanos, SIMED Health, Rex and Brody Foundation, Gemini Water, Drummond Realty, Keim Clearing LLC, Keim Clearing LLC, Digestive Disease Associates, Campus Scooters, and Gator Drain.

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