Tinley Park Bulldogs Baseball & Softball Can't Wait to Start Season!

Spring is in the air and, if you listen closely, you can hear the crack of a baseball bat off in the distance.  

With the warm air, baseball fields around town have been filling up with teams getting out early to practice for the upcoming baseball and softball seasons.  It may only be mid-March, but Opening Day is just around the corner.

The baseball and softball leagues will kick off their season on Sunday, April 15th with a parade and ceremonies to celebrate the beginning of another season. If you love a good parade, pull up a chair on Oak Park Avenue as we teams head out from the Subway parking lot and move north.  

As we get to 171st Street, we'll turn and go east towards the Bulldogs Field complex at Memorial Park.  Once at the fields, players and coaches will gather on Guenzi Field. The Honor Guard from local VFW Post 2791 will commence our ceremonies. Commissioner Chris Hupe will deliver what is sure to be an inspirational message to all of our players and their families.

During the Opening Day festivities, we will be dedicating our recently built t-ball field. The field will be renamed "Patriot Field" and is meant to honor those who have served our country.  All local active and retired service personnel are invited to attend the dedication ceremony in addition to Tinley Park officials and park district representatives.

The groundwork for Patriot Field was laid several years ago by Bulldogs Director of Travel Baseball, Doug Rayburn.  After the initial field was carved out, the community got together and, along with the Tinley Park Park district, the field was rebuilt into a regulation field that is designed to be used by our t-ball players, ages 4-6.  Funds for the field were provided by Doug Rayburn in conjunction with the Park District.

Its a special sight to see the excitement on the young athletes faces as we head into our 51st season Bulldogs baseball.  This year will be even more special as the house league ballplayers will be wearing MLB retro uniforms.  Think 70's Astros or 80's White Sox and you'll get the picture.  Also, our softball teams will be representing teams such as the Peaches, Comets, and Daisies.  Sound Familiar?  They're the team names from the All American Girls Professional Baseball League popularized by the movie "A League of Their Own."

So, make plans to join us on Sunday, April 15th as we get ready to "Play Ball!"