Bellaire Little League's 70th Anniversary Opening Day

By Caroline Siegfried, Staff writer | March 7, 2023

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Each Bellaire Little League team ran through a giant inflatable cardinal as their team was announced. (Photo: Dee Zunker Photography)
A BLL team running through the cardinal as their team is announced. (Photo: Dee Zunker Photography).
Some of the extra-little Little Leaguers running on the field at the opening ceremony. (Photo: Dee Zunker Photography).
The ribbon cutting for the new Weston field. (Photo: Dee Zunker Photography).
Bellaire Little League's 70th opening day drew a lively crowd of players, families, and community members.
The sign for the newly-renamed Weston Field.
Teen volunteers Sasha Reed and Juliette Tannoux at the Evelyn's Park booth.
Wynne Erickson and son Bobby enjoying the carnival games.
Liv Feldman getting a temporary tattoo from volunteer Payton Fishman.
Teen volunteers Tony Thomas (left) and Michael Grossman (right) at the Evelyn's Park booth.
From 10:45-1, kids competed in a base running contest, ball toss contest, strokes only game, and speed pitch contest on the field.
Blake Bollman (left) and brother Pierce Bollman had fun playing skee-ball.
Dad Hunter Bollman with daughter Blake and son Pierce.
Some adventurers enjoyed trying their luck at the rock climbing wall.
A very sunny day called for Kona Ice!
From left: Brothers Derek, Wesley, and Luke Young munching on Kona Ice.
Dad Kenneth Young with kiddos Derek (3), Wesley (6), and Luke (9) - all three are in Little League this year!
Emily Young and her husband Kenneth have three kiddos in BLL, plus two-month-old Kasper - seen here taking a little snooze. Zzzzz!
Opening day for BLL drew a big crowd, with festivities including community vendors and carnival games.
Kids lined up to ride the trackless train that ran through the parking lot.
Lamar alum Dan Joyce and his son Jack shootin' hoops at the inflatable basketball game.
Dylan (6) and brother Max (3) Leal enjoy the facepainting booth with mom Adrea.
Little League moms showed that they've got some serious chops at the Mom's Softball Game.
Liz Rich, a member of the BLL Board, was in charge of planning the day’s events. Terry McConn joked that she must be a private investigator, as she managed to get every member of the BLL 2000 National Little League Championships team!

This Saturday, Bellaire Little League officially opened their 70th season, along with a brand-new field. Formerly Jessamine Field, the new field has been redone with brand-new turf and renamed Weston Field.

It was a gorgeous sunny day, and Bellaire residents certainly turned out to celebrate. The bleachers were full during the opening ceremony, with nearly as many people standing or sitting on the ground to watch.

The day started with the announcement of all 52 teams by emcee David Onufer. The youngest teams start at age 4, and continue through to the oldest teams at age 12. Various leaders in the BLL community stepped up to say a few words, including current BLL president Sam Dagley. Then came a special surprise: the 2000 Little League World Series National Champions team, now adults, all returned to celebrate.

The 2000 Little League National Champions on the field for opening day. (Photo: Dee Zunker Photography)

Their victory is still commemorated on the Bellaire water tower, which reads “Bellaire National Champions: 2000 Little League Baseball.”

One of the former players, Terry McConn, said a few words on behalf of the team: “One of the best memories I have was competing against each one of these guys from T ball until majors.” He went on to say, “This is some of the most fun I’ve ever had in my life – I’m 35 years old and I still think about it, it still gives me chills.”

As the team left the field, emcee David Onufer joked that someone should have brought a paint can: “It’s time for another team to come out here and repaint the water tower!”

The ceremony concluded with a ribbon cutting, and the ceremonial first pitch and first catch, which were auctioned off.

The action didn’t stop there – after the ceremony, guests enjoyed facepainting, treats, and carnival games like skee-ball, along with a rock-climbing wall and a trackless train that ran through the parking lot.

Jacob Braun (center, in red) and friends celebrating when he won the Home Run Derby. (Photo: Dee Zunker Photography)

Fun events continued all day, including the Mom’s Softball Game at 1 p.m. and the Dad’s Kickball Game at 2 p.m. Then the 12-year-olds took the field for the Home Run Derby at 3 p.m., where Jacob Braun won the coveted Home Run Derby Belt.

Little Leaguers and Bellaire residents of all ages had a blast celebrating a 70-year legacy of team spirit and community. Cheers to 70 years – and to repainting that water tower!

Each Bellaire Little League team ran through a giant inflatable cardinal as their team was announced. (Photo: Dee Zunker Photography)

A BLL team running through the cardinal as their team is announced. (Photo: Dee Zunker Photography).

Some of the extra-little Little Leaguers running on the field at the opening ceremony. (Photo: Dee Zunker Photography).

The ribbon cutting for the new Weston field. (Photo: Dee Zunker Photography).

Bellaire Little League's 70th opening day drew a lively crowd of players, families, and community members.

The sign for the newly-renamed Weston Field.

Teen volunteers Sasha Reed and Juliette Tannoux at the Evelyn's Park booth.

Wynne Erickson and son Bobby enjoying the carnival games.

Liv Feldman getting a temporary tattoo from volunteer Payton Fishman.

Teen volunteers Tony Thomas (left) and Michael Grossman (right) at the Evelyn's Park booth.

From 10:45-1, kids competed in a base running contest, ball toss contest, strokes only game, and speed pitch contest on the field.

Blake Bollman (left) and brother Pierce Bollman had fun playing skee-ball.

Dad Hunter Bollman with daughter Blake and son Pierce.

Some adventurers enjoyed trying their luck at the rock climbing wall.

A very sunny day called for Kona Ice!

From left: Brothers Derek, Wesley, and Luke Young munching on Kona Ice.

Dad Kenneth Young with kiddos Derek (3), Wesley (6), and Luke (9) - all three are in Little League this year!

Emily Young and her husband Kenneth have three kiddos in BLL, plus two-month-old Kasper - seen here taking a little snooze. Zzzzz!

Opening day for BLL drew a big crowd, with festivities including community vendors and carnival games.

Kids lined up to ride the trackless train that ran through the parking lot.

Lamar alum Dan Joyce and his son Jack shootin' hoops at the inflatable basketball game.

Dylan (6) and brother Max (3) Leal enjoy the facepainting booth with mom Adrea.

Little League moms showed that they've got some serious chops at the Mom's Softball Game.

Liz Rich, a member of the BLL Board, was in charge of planning the day’s events. Terry McConn joked that she must be a private investigator, as she managed to get every member of the BLL 2000 National Little League Championships team!

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