FYB opens season Saturday

As the big leaguers wrap up the second week of the season, it’s time for the youngster to hit the diamond.

On Saturday, the Fallon Youth Baseball League kicks off its season at 9 a.m. Saturday with the opening ceremony at Oats Park.

Daren McKnight, president of FYB, said a pancake breakfast will commence at 8 a.m. and run through until the first games, which are slated for noon at Oats Park and the Churchill County Regional Fields.

“We are getting everyone together to start the season,” McKnight said. “We will have a first pitch … and kick off the season. Everyone has a chance to see all the teams.”

McKnight said the league has once again coordinated with the Reno Aces for a surprise for the players. The past two years the Aces’ mascot, Archie, has appeared but McKnight was tight-lipped about what was in store for this year.

“That’s under wraps,” he added.

On the field, FYB consists of 11 T-ball teams, 11 rookie clubs, seven minors squads, four teams in majors and four in Babe Ruth.

The Babe Ruth teams, meanwhile, will compete against teams from south Reno, Spanish Springs and Sun Valley. McKnight said at least one Fallon Babe Ruth game will be televised when the teams travel to south Reno. He did not know the date or which game.

The Babe Ruth league, though, has undergone a small transformation this season as 16- and 17-year olds are now allowed to play.

“They are going to do more interleague play this year,” McKnight said. “We will have a big tournament here. I know the one in south Reno will be televised.”

The FYB season, meanwhile, runs from Saturday, where nearly each team will play one game, through June 7. That week will feature division tournaments with the championship games on June 7.

As for Saturday, the FYB has planned a full day of baseball.

“We try to get everybody a game,” McKnight said. “I think the last game starts at 5 p.m. It’s just a day of baseball.”