Sunny skies on Saturday morning greeted hundreds of young hopefuls ready to swing into another season of Dorchester Baseball Little League on the diamonds in the parks around the neighborhood.

From the little ones in the Farm League, to the older boys in the Babe Ruth league, hundreds of players with their gloves in hand marched from Malibu Beach along the boardwalk in Savin Hill to a newly renovated field at McConnell Park. There, they were greeted by league co-presidents Charlie Maneikis and Mike Manning, along with Mayor Wu, City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune, District 3 Councillor John FitzGerald and other elected officials.

“Baseball is the sport that led the way in breaking down racial barriers in sports, and at Dorchester Baseball we honor that and continue it every season,” said Maneikis. “Little League Opening Day is a very happy day for everyone, especially in Dorchester for Dorchester Baseball. Have fun this year and be good teammates and respect your coaches.”

Mayor Wu advised players to be “great on and off the field as well” and FitzGerald, a coach in Dorchester Baseball where his children play, led off the charge with a rousing, “Let’s Play Ball!”

The ceremonial first pitches were tossed by Owen Anastas, in memory of his mom— the late, long-time league supporter Karen Anastas – and by Sam English, son of the late Jim English, a beloved coach.

League official Shaun O’Sullivan called both “the neighborhood heroes that get things done behind the scenes.”

The national anthem was performed by retired Dorchester Boston Public Schools music instructor Cliff Tetle, who wowed the crowd with his version of the anthem on the saxophone.

Ryker Rothwell and Cian McCormack, both members of the Farm League, were ecstatic to start their baseball careers on Saturday morning.

Wowing everyone on the saxophone for the national anthem was Cliff Tetle, a retired Boston Public Schools music teacher who taught at the Holmes School in Dorchester for 25 years and was a ‘Teacher of the Year’ in 2012.

Owen Anastas threw out one of the ceremonial first pitches in honor of his late mother, Karen Anastas, who passed away from cancer in January.

Sam English threw out a ceremonial first pitch in honor of his late father, long-time coach Jim English – who passed away earlier this year.

Coach Jim Doyle with Coleman Lydon, Declan Lydon, Kareem Woods, and Zeshawn Simpson – of the Rubber Ducks team. Seth Daniel photos

Members of the Boston Fire Honor Guard led the Little League Parade along the Malibu Beach boardwalk.

Touchie McDonough with little Mack Curtin watching the parade go by.

Mayor Michelle Wu greeted players along with Neighborhood Liaison Ross Cochran as they entered the field.

Young Louis Briaud and his father, Patrick, sizing up the competition on the pitcher’s mount last Saturday in McConnell Park. Patrick said their family had been at the beach last year when they saw all the commotion at the ballfield, and from there signed up the kids for their first season this year.

League Co-President Charlie Maneikis, along with Shaun O’Sullivan and Co-President Mike Manning, welcome everyone to a new season of baseball, while Mayor Michelle Wu, Council President Ruthzee Louijeune, and Councillor John FitzGerald look on.

Teammates from the Kettlers Tee-Ball team couldn’t wait to get the action started on Saturday.

Tim and Yan Li Swanson with their daughter, Chloe, at McConnell Park on Saturday.