BY MARK WATSON

SPORTS EDITOR

Players ranging in ages 5 to 15 covered the outfield on one of the diamonds at Parker's Park in Tooele for opening ceremonies of the Tooele County Babe Ruth - Cal Ripken League on Saturday morning.

"It was exciting to get out there and start playing," said league president John Wright. "We're happy with the progress of the players. It looks like we'll have some good teams this year. Some players are still learning of course, but this league will help them improve. We hope they have fun."

The league honored Ray Harris and his family this season and one of Harris' grandsons threw out the first pitch. Harris worked as vice-president of the league for several years and helped tutor young baseball players in Tooele County for decades.

The Tooele County baseball league includes 752 players, 125 coaches and 62 teams. Games are played Tuesdays through Fridays and sometimes on Saturdays at Parker's Park, Elk's Park, Babe Ruth Park and at Dow James Park for T-Ball games.

Helping Wright this year are Nick Drake, vice president; Rob Clausing, Cal Ripken coordinator, Tom Poyner, upper division Babe Ruth coordinator; Stewart Christensen, information technology; Paul Collins and Erin Christiansen, snack bar concessions; Gerlyn Wakefield, secretary-treasurer; and Heather McClatchey, uniforms.

Wright begins his 18th season as president of the league.

mwatson@tooeletranscript.com