Parkway Little League parade kicks off season

The Roslindale Transcript

By Rachel Lebeaux

Tue Apr 21, 2009,

On Saturday, last year’s Parkway National Little League All-Stars joined the proud tradition of Boston sports teams who have taken to the streets in a Duck Boat to celebrate their latest victory.

Overcast skies couldn’t dampen the spirits of the 2008 State Little League champs, nor any other of the Parkway youth baseball teams who walked in the annual Little League parade from Fallon Field in Roslindale to the Guy Cammarata Complex’s Praught Field in West Roxbury.

It was a celebration not only of accomplishments past, but a kickoff for what coaches and players expect to be another great season for the Parkway athletes.

“We have a lot of new kids, but I think we’re going to go all the way,” said Dylan Chalmers, 11, of Roslindale, who plays for the Dodgers.

“Very confident,” laughed Dodgers co-coach Walter Murray.

Christopher Estes of Roslindale, in his first year with the Dodgers, said that he was “just looking forward to playing.” But his teammates had higher praise, referring to him as “Speedy” and “Roadrunner.”

“If he hits it deep, it might be a home run,” said Dylan Hanifin of Jamaica Plain.

More than a dozen teams gathered at Fallon Field late Saturday morning, dressed in Yankee pinstripes, Athletics green and gold and, of course, Red Sox red and white.

Members of the Parkway National All-Stars team —which won the Massachusetts State Championship last season before eventually falling short in the New England Championships — sported black jackets emblazoned with “Massachusetts State Little League Champs.” They boarded their Duck Boat and led off the parade, followed by the Twins, the Parkway major league champs.

The other teams snaked after them toward Centre Street in West Roxbury. Joining the athletes were bagpipes players; the Boston Firemen’s Band, who led off with a rounding rendition of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,” and members of the Dedham Middle School marching band.

The athletes walked and waved at family, friends and residents along the parade route who shouted out encouraging words and praise. The numbers of observers increased as the parade made its way into West Roxbury, where a mix of curious bystanders and ardent supporters greeted the players, all enthusiastically beeping their horns, cheering and waving at the players.

The parade route rounded onto Baker Street and down to Praught Field, wrapping up about an hour after it began. Players gathered in a semi-circle around the baseball diamond, while coaches and managers unfurled a giant American flag in the middle of the diamond.

Joseph Petitpas, president of the Parkway Little League, welcomed the crowd to the start of a new Little League season, and introduced last year’s All-Star team.

“This is the sixth time Parkway has won the state championship,” All-Stars manager John Picarello said. “That’s the most in the state, and this is a legacy hopefully everyone can be proud of.”

Members of the All Stars were called forward by name to be recognized, and later raised the state flag over the field.

In addition, Petitpas recognized the Twins, and the Parkway minor league champs, the Giants. Following a rendition of the national anthem by the Firemen’s Band, many players boisterously threw their caps in the air, and Master Sgt. Michael Gormley raised the American flag over the field.

Mayor Thomas Menino also made an appearance, congratulating the All Stars from last year and wishing everybody the start of another great season.

“Have fun out there and enjoy the game,” Menino said. “Play ball!”

The season formally kicked off soon afterwards with two afternoon games.

Topping last season “is going to be tough,” Petitpas acknowledged.

“We’re going to have to go to the World Series and win it in Williamsport [Penn.],” he said.