“We were excited to be out there after the rain on Saturday,” said softball board member Mike Pernecky. “It rained on the parade, but the sun came back out and the people stuck it out. We kept it going and it was nice to get some sun for a bit.
About 900 baseball and softball players were there and all of the teams in all of the age brackets were photographed. Both the home run derby and the golden arm competition were well-received and well-attended, Johnson said.
“It’s nice to have something like this,” Johnson said. “That this community can come together to enjoy our pastime and enjoy this day with your community and watch the kids compete and do the parade and have a good day.”
There were dunk tanks and carnival games and other assorted games and an In ‘n’ Out truck for lunch—with more than 1,600 burgers served for the event. Johnson estimated 2,500 people showed up throughout the day.
For Johnson, it was a day of family. His son marched in the parade and his daughter sang the national anthem after winning the competition among the Association’s baseball and softball alums for the right to do so.
“Madison sang the national anthem and it came out very well,” Johnson said of his daughter. “It was wonderful to see my daughter sing. First time she’s sung the national anthem. I’m very proud.”
At 1 p.m., the parade of teams began and La Cañada Mayor Laura Olhasso threw out the first pitch for softball while Mike Leininger, asst. superintendent of La Cañada Unified School District, threw out the first pitch for baseball.
Games started last weekend, though a number of them were rained out.
The Association’s schedule can be found at lacanadasports.net.
