Unaccustomed as I am to public speaking, that's me (Ken Waldie SSC Director Mario Pagnoni) with the microphone. I thanked our sponsors, commented on the high regard the Waldie family is held in our community, and turned the mike over to The Voice of The Rangers, Bob Collins.

Bob Collins called for a moment of silence to honor Ken Waldie and all the victims of 9/11/01. Then he handed the microphone over to the lovely and talented Methuen High School student Ashley Solomon, who gave a stirring rendition of our National Anthem.

Methuen High School's well drilled Color Guard presented the colors.

I got to pose with Mrs. Carol Waldie who was gracious enough to honor us by tossing out the ceremonial first ball. She holds a bouquet and a softball signed by our players.

Yes, we had a trainer on duty. That's him in the dark cap and blue shirt behind the water cooler. A top flight trainer for area high school teams, Alan Delano had his hands full with our "old bucks" - pulled muscles, sprains, and assorted bumps and bruises.

Fans were flying in from all over the Eastern Seaboard. Honest, helicopters were landing in the parking lot.

Batter Ed "Hopper" Curran (Methuen's Veterans Services Director) came out of retirement to play. Like riding a bike, Hoppy didn't forget how to hit, field, and throw, and he established himself as one of the premier players in the league.

Former Central Catholic superstar Steve Touma (#9) played through hamstring, calf, and groin injuries to gut out a big victory on opening day.