Stars on Hand to Open 40th Year of Encino Little League
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In celebration of their league’s 40th season, Encino Little Leaguers were treated to an opening-day entertainment lineup worthy of the majors.
Before the first pitch at the Encino Little League field Saturday, Melissa Manchester and a chorus of budding Babe Ruths sang the national anthem. Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky tossed out the first ball, and television personalities Steve Allen and Phil Hartman were on hand to toast--and roast--the league.
“They got all these really famous guys, and I got to sing the national anthem with Melissa Manchester,” said 8-year-old Steve Samrock of the Expos, who sang before a crowd of about 1,100 people. “It was kind of embarrassing, but it was fun.”
Steve, an infielder, who acknowledged the woes of professional baseball, hesitated before naming Los Angeles Dodgers’ catcher Mike Piazza as one of his favorite professional players.
“It used to be Darryl Strawberry, but he got fired,” he said.
More than 600 players on 38 teams participated in the ceremony, which included an appearance by Baltimore Oriole Brady Anderson.
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