HAMLET — The sixth summer of Hamlet American Legion baseball will open with pageantry at Memorial Park early next week.
Since returning from a decade and a half hiatus, the Hamlet baseball program has generated a lot of quality games, memories and community building.
The tradition will continue next week when Post 49’s junior and senior baseball team both open the new season at home.
Hamlet’s junior team, coached by Anthony Hailey and Landon Cowick, will officially kick off the summer slate Tuesday against Liberty Post 81.
A night later, the senior team will take the diamond at Memorial Park to host Aberdeen Post 72.
A new era of Post 49 baseball is set to get underway as head coach Eric Brown will make his coaching debut with the program. He replaces former head coach Chip Gordon, who stepped down after restarting the program and coaching for five seasons.
Helping Brown on staff will be assistant coaches Ryan Mercer and Kevin Wallace, both of whom are also on Brown’s staff at Richmond Senior High School.
Visit Hamlet, NC posted on its Facebook page Wednesday that a host of activities will be held before and during the senior team’s home opener on June 3.
A pre-game ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m. In past seasons, several Richmond County officials have attended the kickoff event as a sign of countywide support of the team.
Last summer, North Carolina State Fire Marshal Brian Taylor threw out the ceremonial first pitch after all of Richmond County’s fire departments were recognized.
Getting a chance to take the mound this year will be Joe Richardson, Hamlet’s Post Commander. He will throw out the ceremonial first pitch to start the new season.
Presenting the opening remarks and tasked with welcoming fans and the teams will be Brenda Dwiggins. A retired educator and a military veteran, Dwiggins is an active member with the Hamlet American Legion.
Also in previous pre-game ceremonies, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office’s honor guard has presented the colors prior to the National Anthem.
Admission this season will be $7 per adult, with children and students allowed entrance free of charge. In the Facebook post, Post 49 said donations for the program are appreciated.
During all home games this summer, concessions will be available and a 50-50 raffle will be held.
The junior Legion team’s game Tuesday, as well as the senior Legion team’s game Wednesday, will both start at 7 p.m.
Click here for a full season schedule for the junior baseball team.
Click here for a full season schedule for the senior baseball team.
