By Kate Quesada
Families all over the FishHawk area are gearing up for the spring season with FishHawk Youth Baseball (FHYB) and this year the group is offering residents a night to look forward to even without a ball player in the household. Opening Night, which will take place on Friday, February 24 at 6 p.m. at the FishHawk Sports Complex, will now be a community event with something, from games to food trucks, for everyone to enjoy.
According to Stephanie Andre, FHYB communications chair, the night will include bounce houses, music, face painting, a super slide and games for the whole family including an adult home run derby and pitching contest. There will also be food trucks including Taco Bus, Bay Street Burgers, EmpaMammas, Engine 53 Pizza and a Greek food truck, all of which will give 15 percent of their sales back to FHYB.
“We decided to add an Opening Night because we really wanted this to be a celebration of our league and a great kickoff to an amazing spring season. It’s a thank you to our families and volunteers who spend so much time at FHYB,” said Andre, who recently coordinated a very successful Heart Heath Day and walk with the organization. “We also want the community to know that we are here and would love to show them what we are all about and how much of a family FYHB actuallly is. It’s a great treasure for our community. The more, the merrier.”
The group is working hard this year to make the baseball fields a destination for families no matter what sports they enjoy.
“The love and support that came from Heart Health Day has been moving and the idea of opening the fields out to the community and sharing such a wonderful space is our goal,” said Stefanie Goodwin, FHYB fundraising chair. “We are hoping for the possibly of introducing the fields as a free-time get-a-way to watch a game and grab a bite to eat.”
The spring season’s games begin at 9 a.m. the next day, Saturday, February 25, with the national anthem and first pitch.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available for the event and season. According to Goodwin, sponsors will be able to attend opening night and set up a tent so that they can have the opportunity to interact with families. The FishHawk Sports Complex is located at 16120 FishHawk Blvd. in Lithia. Visit www.fishhawkyouthbaseball.org.
