Take me out to the ballfield!

This week marks the start of the baseball and softball games for the Cheboygan Little League. A once quiet Major City Park is now hustling and bustling with over 300 tee ball, baseball, and softball players. You know summer is not long away when the teams invade Major City Park!

I have been at the ball fields every day this week. My son happens to be on one of the major league teams so we have practice almost daily. Those kids love to get out on the field and work on honing their ball playing skills. As I sit and watch the kids hit, field, and run, I find myself putting on my Downtown Enhancement hat. We are so lucky to have these ball fields so close to Downtown. Throughout the week, you will have all 300-plus ballplayers in Major City Park – just a stone’s throw away from Downtown. The Downtown businesses are open and ready to serve the kids, their parents and all of the cheerleaders.

Of course I can’t talk about Downtown Cheboygan and Major City Park without mentioning the link between the two: the Downtown Footbridge. This footbridge has been quite the popular attraction with the parents and kids alike at the fields. Every night, I walk across the footbridge and I take a stroll throughout Downtown. I see parents and kids walking over the bridge from Washington Park to the ball fields, heading out to get ice cream or grabbing a bite to eat. As I cross the bridge, I notice groups setting up their fishing lines in their quest to nab that evening’s dinner.

I want to make a plea to the ball players and their parents… please get into the habit of using the bridge. This was constructed so you could easily get across the river. Make plans after the games to grab a snack or even dinner. Soon the Chamber of Commerce will begin their Summer Concert Series. The footbridge will be an easy access to all of the activities in Washington Park. Ball season begins in May and runs through July so it is safe to assume that we will see visting teams from neighboring cities travel to Cheboygan. Please let those teams know about our new structure so they can enjoy Downtown too. These teams will most likely be looking for places to eat and shop before and after their games, which could be a giant boost to our local economy.

The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is planning a Grand Opening Celebration for the Downtown Footbridge on Saturday, May 22 from 11:00 a.m to 2:00 pm. There will be food, music, an inflatable bounce house and I know many teams will be playing games that day. This is a great opportuntiy for ball players and their parents to celebrate the bridge and it is also a great time for others unfamiliar with baseball and softball to experience a game. If you haven’t had a chance to check out a Little League game in action, make plans to do so. These kids are so talented and they play full of heart.