Photo credit: Matt McGee / Flickr Creative Commons (photo cropped)
South Mercer Playfields will become the King’s Court this Saturday, April 30th, when Seattle Mariners pitcher “King” Felix Hernandez will join the Mercer Island Little League for Opening Day ceremonies.
Hernandez will throw the first pitch of the Mercer Island Little League season following a parade of all the Little League teams. The teams will also get to pose for a team picture with the King.
The parade starts at 10:45 am, which will be followed by a live rendition of the National Anthem performed by Islander Sophie Feldman, and a short speech by King Felix before throwing the opening pitch. A detailed ceremony schedule is as follows:
- 10:45 – 11:15 am – Parade of teams and team picture with Felix Hernandez
- 11:15 am – Little League President Welcome
- 11:17 am – Introduction of the Color Guard
- 11:20 am – VFW Color Guard Presents the flags
- 11:24 am – Introduction of Sophie Feldman
- 11:25 am – Live rendition of the National Anthem
- 11:30 am – Introduction of President of District 9 Bob Toigo
- 11:35 am – District 9 Bob Toigo speaks
- 11:39 am – Introduction of Felix Hernandez
- 11:40 am – Felix Hernandez speaks
- 11:45 am – Felix Hernandez pulls tickets to game that evening
- 11:50 am – Felix Hernandez throws out first pitch
After the ceremony, families are invited to enjoy a $5 Home Run lunch, including a hot dog, chips, and water, with all proceeds benefitting Mercer Island Little League.
Last year, Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano was the special guest at the Mercer Island Little League’s Opening Day.
Visit the Mercer Island Little League website at: https://www.mercerislandlittleleague.org/
