Where it began, we can’t begin to know when (probably 1958), but then we know it’s growin’ strong. Was in the spring, this past Saturday, May 2, 2026, before Spring became the summer, that the Charlestown Little League celebrated its opening day.
The festivities kicked off with the league’s annual parade. Fortified against the light drizzle by delicious treats provided by BPD, little league and softball players, and their families, gathered at Hayes Square. Thanks to the generous support of the Red Sox Foundation, Wally the Green Monster was on hand at the Harvard Kent playground to greet the players and pose for pictures.
That parade is a longstanding tradition of the Charlestown Little League. This year marked the start of a great new tradition, with the little league joining in the fun with Jack Schievink and Girls Softball. The parade was led and directed by the generous support of the Boston Police Department and Engine 50 of the Boston Fire Department.
For many years, the parade ran along Bunker Hill St. to Ryan Playground. As with last year, due to renovations underway at the Ryan playground fields, the route was modified. With Charlestown Softball leading the way behind the lights and sirens of Engine 50, the teams walked up Lexington Street, around the monument, and down Monument St to Medford St. There softball headed to its fields and Little League players continued on to Barry Field, where the opening ceremony was held.
Upon arrival at Barry Field, players, family members and league supporters lined up along the edge of the infield, holding the sponsor banners they carried in the parade. Thanks to the hard work of the Parks Department, Barry was in great shape despite the recent challenging wet weather. Christ Church Charlestown raised the energy level of the event, providing a Ritchie’s slush cart for the players and siblings, and a sound system which provided music and announcements for the game to follow. Undeterred by the unseasonably cold weather, players gave thank you’s to their parents and coaches and enthusiastically recited the the “Big Three” of Charlestown Little League: “Have fun”, “Try hard”, and “Be a good sport!”
In his opening remarks, Charlestown Little League president Steven Van Dyke thanked the assembled group for continuing to stand by the league during a time of transition that has seen its members finding new locations for practices and games. Van Dyke touted the strong enrollment numbers, stating that the league has thrived and grown despite the temporary loss of the fields at Ryan Playground. He attributed that success to the strong community that this league enjoys. While the substantial renovations at Ryan Field will eventually bring top-notch facilities for its players, Van Dyke highlighted how, “It’s our families, not our fields, that make us strong.”
This year Charlestown Little League has 315 registered players, which represents an increase from last year. Of particular note, under the leadership of division coordinators Ed Brooks and Meghan Whealan, the tee ball division has welcomed 115 children, a league record. Van Dyke emphasized how these strong numbers are made possible by the generous support of the nearly 100 volunteers who coach and support the teams. Van Dyke also gave a shout out to the league’s board members for powering the league and executing its essential administrative work. Those members include: Chris Tucker, Sarah Gibbons, Jim Gibbons, Brian Hess, Nicole Feldner, Scott Perry, Kim Perry, Debbie Tuel, Ed Brooks, Ryan Preszler, Andrew Brett, Dean Carucci, William Schramm, Joe Hernandez, Emma Winger, Jason Venezia, Josh Bresler, Erich White, and John Edwards.
Next, in recognition of the tremendous support that it has provided to the Charlestown Little league, Steve Van Dyke recognized the Bunker Hill Community College, and its athletic director Anthony Price, for providing a home for its tee ball and rookie ball (coach-pitch) programs on its softball field again for a second year in a row. That support enables these divisions to continue to provide opportunities for the league’s younger players in the absence of the fields they historically used at Ryan Playground.
Several other league supporters were also recognized, including Tim McKenna of the Charlestown Sports Collaborative and the Red Sox Foundation, which provides uniforms and equipment, and invitations to events at Fenway Park, to the league’s tee ball players. The league also thanked its many sponsors, including McCarthy Brothers, Boys and Girls Club, Casella, Monument Fitness, Christ Church Charlestown, Engine 50, Just Bo, The Fallon Company, Breeds Hill Capital, J Calnan and Associates, Boston Building Maintenance, Century 21, the Charlestown Mother’s Association, Cooperative Bank, Sprinkler Fitters 550, and Rhino Capital.
League Vice president Chris Tucker was also recognized for the extraordinary contributions he has made in planning for the upcoming season, shuttling back and forth to the league’s former clubhouse to provide equipment for players and coaches.
One highlight of the ceremony was a rendition of Sweet Caroline sung by Division coordinators Ed Brooks, Ryan Preszler and Will Schramm. Joining them was Jimbo Tucker, who has volunteered with the league for over forty years. Their performance was so good (so good) that the sun finally emerged from behind the clouds.
Then, in a stand-out moment of the ceremony, Stella Murray, a Charlestown resident, and 6th grade student at the Warren Prescott, gave an incredible rendition of the National Anthem.
Next, representative Dan Ryan then took the pitcher’s mound, along with Tim McKenna, Councillor at Large Ruthzee Louijeune, Elaine Donovan, Charlestown Liaison for City Councilor Gabriella Colletta, and Aneury Prichardo of the Red Sox Foundation. Together they threw out ceremonial first pitches, which were caught by Little League players John Campbell, Henry Van Dyke, Thomas Bonzagni, Keagan Marshall and Ignatius Gunsch.
Then, as players rushed for that cart, the Royals (head coach: Dean Carucci) and the defending champion Phillies (head coach: Alex Hampton) began to warm up for their opening day game in the AAA division. That game featured excellent pitching from starters Brock Hess (Royals) and Tucker Hampton (Phillies). Tucker struck out seven batters across three innings, only allowing three hits. Brock threw a complete game. Across four innings, he struck out nine batters and only allowed one hit, holding the opposition scoreless in a 7-0 Royals win.
At that same time, the league’s tee ball players enthusiastically participated in their first practices at Barry Field. Parent coaches in that division, clad in colorful RBI shirts, got the best workouts of anyone at the field, running around gathering soft-strike balls and creating game after game to keep their players engaged.
Later in the afternoon, at Bunker Hill Community College, the league’s Rookie Ball (coach pitch) teams took the field for their first games. Over the course of several innings, the coaches of the Pirates, Giants, Angels and Rays struck out no one and allowed so many runs that their ERA’s may never recover. The games all ended in a tie – the type of tie where all teams win.
Good times never seemed so good.