The Delphi Youth Baseball organization's 'Opening Day' of the season will be on Saturday with the traditional parade of activities through downtown to Paul Goyer Field.

League officials will then commence with the opening day ceremonies including the recognition of last season's 10-and-under Town and Country state championship team, top fundraiser sales awards, and guest speakers before the first-pitch is thrown at noon.

As a special highlight to the ceremony, this season marks the 50th year of existence for the Delphi Youth Baseball League, officially organized in 1956. It was on March 28 of that year that group of concerned parents and business leaders recognized a need for the youth in this small community and held a meeting, presided over by Tony Berto, to discuss the possibility of a Little League franchise for Delphi.

Approximately 40 people were in attendance at the REMC meeting hall, including guest speakers Wayne Hall, president of the Flora Little League, and Al Moss, the secretary-treasurer.

From that discussion, committees were appointed to move forward with this program in the Delphi community. Other individuals involved were: Leo Craig, Bob Clawson, Frank Fitch, Joe Coomey, Harvey Harris, Myron Johnson, Mayor Ray Clauser, Stan Cornelius, Maurice Clifford, Ralph Melin and Paul and Harold Goyer, to name a few.

An application was then sent to Williamsport, PA for a franchise, as

Craig was named president, Morris Skiles the vice-president, William Riley, Treasurer and Armond 'Bill' Soper the player agent and umpire-in-chief.

Sponsors and coaches of the league's first four teams were: the Jack Brown Buick Braves (coached by Harold Goyer), the Globe Valve White Sox (coach Harold Welch), the Delphi Lions Club Cubs (Paul Goyer), and the Eikenberry Funeral Home Indians (Coomey).

On May 10, 1956, the dream became closer to reality when a tract of land located north of the Deer Creek levee on the east side of Hamilton Street was purchased from Roger Mayhill for $1.

With 168 boys that had signed consent forms to play, many volunteers, including Tom Vianco and the Goyers, spent countless days clearing the land to make a field, while practices were held at Riley Park.

REMC dug postholes, while Burkle & Campbell's Delphi Products built the backstop and screens along the baselines and erected the flagpole.

After a census card was distributed in the local papers seeking volunteers interested in assisting the league and an 'auction' was held to help offset costs, June 23 was set for the original Opening Day.

The community came out in great numbers to support the new league as the four teams showcased their skills in exhibition games.

Fifty years later, Opening Day is being celebrated again, with a special thanks to the "pioneers" of the cause, who gave their work and efforts towards making this dream a reality for many youth over the years.

Some of the people directly responsible have passed on, but the legacy they built and left to this community is alive and well at Paul Goyer Filed on Hamilton Street.

Action on Saturday includes Major League (age 12-&-under) games at noon featuring the Indiana Packers Astros vs. the Peters-Revington White Sox, and at 2:00 pm with the Auto Glass Experts' Nationals vs. the Dick Krieg Motors Shockers.

Minor A (age 10-&-under) games will then follow at 4:00 pm featuring the Norman Eyecare Rockhounds vs. the Save-A-Lot Muckdogs, with the Sand Ridge Bank Redwings facing the Pearson's Marina Riverdogs at 6:00 pm.

Teams from the Delphi Girls Softball leagues will also take part in the parade activities.