FORNEY, Texas – The Forney Youth Baseball Association’s Opening Day ceremonies honored a disabled war veteran and the FYBA's Angel League with two ceremonial first pitches.
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The sun was shining on the several hundred people attending the opening day ceremonies at Mulberry Park. This year marks the second year since the Forney Youth Baseball Association switched its league affiliation from Little League to USSSA. The league is now boasting more than 1,000 players on 88 teams.
After the flag ceremony by the Trinity Valley Young Marines and the National Anthem sung by Forney High School student Lauryn Peterman, the announcer introduced U.S. Army Sergeant Michael McLain.
McLain first enlisted in the U.S. Army in July of 1991 at the age of 17 during the Desert Storm war. After serving eight years as an M1A1 Abrams tank crew member, McLain completed his term in 1999.
Nine years later, McLain rejoined the U.S. Army in 2008 as a combat engineer and was deployed to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2014, McLain was honorably discharged as a disabled veteran due to injuries sustained in Iraq.
McLain and his wife, Marcie, have lived in Forney, Texas, for 10 years with their four sons Matthew, Taylor, Garrett, and Tanner. McLain and his family were given a standing ovation from all the attendees.
“On behalf of the FYBA and the entire Forney community, we would like to thank you and your family for your dedicated service to our country. The sacrifices you made guarantee the freedoms we sometimes take for granted,” said the announcer.
The second ceremonial pitch was thrown by senior Angel League player Pam Bridges. The Angel League is a division of the Forney Youth Baseball Association for boys and girls with mental and/or physical disabilities.
Forney Youth Baseball Association players from the recreational league volunteer their time with the Angel League as buddies, helping guide the Angel League players. Bridges threw out the first pitch for the Angel League to her great-nephew Nathan Bridges.
The Angel League's first game will be played Saturday, April 5, 2014, at 9 a.m. on Field 8 at Mulberry Park.
After the flag ceremony by the Trinity Valley Young Marines and the National Anthem sung by Forney High School student Lauryn Peterman, the announcer introduced U.S. Army Sergeant Michael McLain.
McLain first enlisted in the U.S. Army in July of 1991 at the age of 17 during the Desert Storm war. After serving eight years as an M1A1 Abrams tank crew member, McLain completed his term in 1999.
Nine years later, McLain rejoined the U.S. Army in 2008 as a combat engineer and was deployed to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2014, McLain was honorably discharged as a disabled veteran due to injuries sustained in Iraq.
McLain and his wife, Marcie, have lived in Forney, Texas, for 10 years with their four sons Matthew, Taylor, Garrett, and Tanner. McLain and his family were given a standing ovation from all the attendees.
“On behalf of the FYBA and the entire Forney community, we would like to thank you and your family for your dedicated service to our country. The sacrifices you made guarantee the freedoms we sometimes take for granted,” said the announcer.
The second ceremonial pitch was thrown by senior Angel League player Pam Bridges. The Angel League is a division of the Forney Youth Baseball Association for boys and girls with mental and/or physical disabilities.
Forney Youth Baseball Association players from the recreational league volunteer their time with the Angel League as buddies, helping guide the Angel League players. Bridges threw out the first pitch for the Angel League to her great-nephew Nathan Bridges.
The Angel League's first game will be played Saturday, April 5, 2014, at 9 a.m. on Field 8 at Mulberry Park.