MOLINE, Ill. — The Little League season in Moline is officially underway. All 32 teams paraded through Riverfront Park before starting their first games.
Moline Little League President Jessica Knapp said there's plenty to be excited for. This is her first year in the position.
"So actually this season our numbers are up. So we have increased our number of players," Knapp said. "Equipment is amazing. We've had some great donations from a lot of people to help out players who need, so we are really looking forward to using that and getting these kids on the field."
Not only are there more kids, the league has a record 35 umpires — most of them former Little Leaguers.
"We have a lot of veteran umpires that have been here for a couple of years," Knapp said. "And then we do have a new set of umpires that are just starting out this season."
Coach Jerry Burkhead is also excited for this season. He coaches the QC Roof Doctors minor league team.
"The emphasis is about not just about winning, the emphasis is about having fun," Burkhead said. "Growing up with a love of the game of baseball, learning how to play the game the right way. Sometimes that gets lost in the shuffle with other things. And down here, it's just about making memories."
With a new leader, he said he's happy to see the tradition of Moline Little League live on.
"The program's thriving, and I'm just really lucky to be part of it," Burkhead said.
Also during the event, the board raised more than $1,000 for the program. They haven't decided yet how they'll spend that money.
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