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Photo by Jon Anderson
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The Dodgers play the Orioles in the T-ball league on opening day at Hoover Sports Park West, also known as Shades Mountain Park, in Hoover, Alabama, on Saturday, March 7, 2020.
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Photo by Jon Anderson
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Max McDuff, a member of the Orioles T-ball team at Hoover Sports Park West, also known as Shades Mountain Park, drops some dirt as Dodgers third baseman Sam Mitchell gets ready for the next play on opening day in Hoover, Alabama, on Saturday, March 7, 2020.
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Photo by Jon Anderson
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People make their way between fields on opening day for baseball at Hoover Sports Park West, also known as Shades Mountain Park, in Hoover, Alabama, on Saturday, March 7, 2020.
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Photo by Jon Anderson
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Braxton Finch plays first base for the 5-year-old and 6-year-old Mets during a game with the Braves on opening day at Hoover Sports Park West, also known as Shades Mountain Park, in Hoover, Alabama, on Saturday, March 7, 2020.
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Photo by Jon Anderson
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The Dodgers play the Orioles on opening day in the T-ball league at Hoover Sports Park West, also known as Shades Mountain Park, in Hoover, Alabama, on Saturday, March 7, 2020.
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Photo by Jon Anderson
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From left, Bennett Stripling, Neely Stripling and Max McDuff eat some flavored shaved ice after the Orioles T-ball game on opening day at Hoover Sports Park West, also known as Shades Mountain Park, in Hoover, Alabama, on Saturday, March 7, 2020.
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Photo by Jon Anderson
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Hoyt Cleckler of the 5-year-old and 6-year-old Braves at Hoover Sports Park West, also known as Shades Mountain Park, listens to his coach, Kevin Martin, during a game with the Mets on opening day in Hoover, Alabama, on Saturday, March 7, 2020.
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Photo by Jon Anderson
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Fans watch the Brewers play the Braves in the 10-and-under league at Hoover Sports Park West, also known as Shades Mountain Park, on opening day in Hoover, Alabama, on Saturday, March 7, 2020.
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Photo by Jon Anderson
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The Dodgers play the Orioles in the T-ball league on opening day at Hoover Sports Park West, also known as Shades Mountain Park, in Hoover, Alabama, on Saturday, March 7, 2020.
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Photo by Jon Anderson
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Richey Thayer, a coach with the Orioles T-ball team at Hoover Sports Park West, also known as Shades Mountain Park, gives instructions to Bennett Stripling during a game with the Dodgers on opening day in Hoover, Alabama, on Saturday, March 7, 2020. Meanwhile, Sam Mitchell of the Dodgers plays third base.
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Photo by Jon Anderson
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The Dodgers play the Orioles in the T-ball league on opening day at Hoover Sports Park West, also known as Shades Mountain Park, in Hoover, Alabama, on Saturday, March 7, 2020.
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Photo by Jon Anderson
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The Dodgers play the Orioles in the T-ball league on opening day at Hoover Sports Park West, also known as Shades Mountain Park, in Hoover, Alabama, on Saturday, March 7, 2020.
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Photo by Jon Anderson
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The Dodgers play the Orioles in the T-ball league on opening day at Hoover Sports Park West, also known as Shades Mountain Park, in Hoover, Alabama, on Saturday, March 7, 2020.
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Photo by Jon Anderson
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The Dodgers and Orioles in the T-ball league at Hoover Sports Park West, also known as Shades Mountain Park, greet one another after their game on opening day in Hoover, Alabama, on Saturday, March 7, 2020.
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Photo by Jon Anderson
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Sam Mitchell, the third baseman for the Dodgers in the T-ball league at Hoover Sports Park West, also known as Shades Mountain Park, studies his base during a game with the Orioles on opening day in Hoover, Alabama, on Saturday, March 7, 2020.
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Photo by Jon Anderson
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Sam Mitchell, the third baseman for the Dodgers in the T-ball league at Hoover Sports Park West, also known as Shades Mountain Park, observes Max McDuff of the Orioles during a game on opening day in Hoover, Alabama, on Saturday, March 7, 2020.
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Photo by Jon Anderson
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The Dodgers play the Orioles on opening day in the T-ball league at Hoover Sports Park West, also known as Shades Mountain Park, in Hoover, Alabama, on Saturday, March 7, 2020.
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Photo by Jon Anderson
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Bennett Stripling of the Orioles T-ball team waits to run on first base during a game against the Dodgers on opening day at Hoover Sports Park West, also known as Shades Mountain Park, in Hoover, Alabama, on Saturday, March 7, 2020, as his coach and dad, Brad Stripling, watches.
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Photo by Jon Anderson
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Sam Mitchell, the third baseman for the Dodgers in the T-ball league at Hoover Sports Park West, also known as Shades Mountain Park, gets ready for the next play during a game against the Orioles on opening day in Hoover, Alabama, on Saturday, March 7, 2020.
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Photo by Jon Anderson
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Brooks Lockett, left, and Drew Head of the Orioles T-ball team at Hoover Sports Park West, also known as Shades Mountain Park, make their way back to the dugout after scoring runs in a game against the Dodgers on opening day in Hoover, Alabama, on Saturday, March 7, 2020.
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Photo by Jon Anderson
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A member of the Orioles T-ball team at Hoover Sports Park West, also known as Shades Mountain Park, waves to the crowd after scoring in a game against the Dodgers on opening day in Hoover, Alabama, on Saturday, March 7, 2020.
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Photo by Jon Anderson
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George Prejean of the Orioles T-ball team at Hoover Sports Park West, also known as Shades Mountain Park, runs to first base after hitting the ball in a game against the Dodgers on opening day in Hoover, Alabama, on Saturday, March 7, 2020.
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Photo by Jon Anderson
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The Dodgers play the Orioles in the T-ball league on opening day at Hoover Sports Park West, also known as Shades Mountain Park, in Hoover, Alabama, on Saturday, March 7, 2020.
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Photo by Jon Anderson
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George Prejean of the Orioles T-ball team at Hoover Sports Park West, also known as Shades Mountain Park, gets ready to swing during a game with the Dodgers on opening day in Hoover, Alabama, on Saturday, March 7, 2020.
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Photo by Jon Anderson
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George Prejean of the Orioles T-ball team takes a swing during a game against the Dodgers on opening day at Hoover Sports Park West, also known as Shades Mountain Park, in Hoover, Alabama, on Saturday, March 7, 2020.
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Photo by Jon Anderson
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Benji McGrew of the Hoover Hurricanes 11-year-old and 12-year-old team takes his turn at bat in a game against the Vestavia Hills Vipers on opening day at Hoover Sports Park West, also known as Shades Mountain Park, in Hoover, Alabama, on Saturday, March 7, 2020.
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Photo by Jon Anderson
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Benji McGrew of the Hoover Hurricanes 11-year-old and 12-year-old team lays down a successful bunt in a game against the Vestavia Hills Vipers on opening day at Hoover Sports Park West, also known as Shades Mountain Park, in Hoover, Alabama, on Saturday, March 7, 2020.
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Photo by Jon Anderson
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Arnav Kadri pitches for the Hoover Hurricanes 11-year-old and 12-year-old team during a game against the Vestavia Hills Vipers on opening day at Hoover Sports Park West, also known as Shades Mountain Park, in Hoover, Alabama, on Saturday, March 7, 2020.
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Photo by Jon Anderson
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Shortstop Ethan Dow for the Hoover Hurricanes 11-year-old and 12-year-old team gets ready for the next play during a game against the Vestavia Hills Vipers on opening day at Hoover Sports Park West, also known as Shades Mountain Park, in Hoover, Alabama, on Saturday, March 7, 2020.
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Photo by Jon Anderson
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Brady Crutchfield, a second baseman for the Hoover Hurricanes 11-year-old and 12-year-old team, tries to hold a runner close to base during a game against the Vestavia Hills Vipers on opening day at Hoover Sports Park West, also known as Shades Mountain Park, in Hoover, Alabama, on Saturday, March 7, 2020.
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Photo by Jon Anderson
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Brady Crutchfield, a second baseman for the Hoover Hurricanes 11-year-old and 12-year-old team, tries to hold a runner close to base during a game against the Vestavia Hills Vipers on opening day at Hoover Sports Park West, also known as Shades Mountain Park, in Hoover, Alabama, on Saturday, March 7, 2020.
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Photo by Jon Anderson
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Asher Ladores of the Hoover Hurricanes 11-year-old and 12-year-old team gets a lead off third base in a game against the Vestavia Hills Vipers on opening day at Hoover Sports Park West, also known as Shades Mountain Park, in Hoover, Alabama, on Saturday, March 7, 2020.
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Photo by Jon Anderson
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A member of the Hoover Hurricanes 11-year-old and 12-year-old team takes his turn at bat during a game against the Vestavia Hills Vipers on opening day at Hoover Sports Park West, also known as Shades Mountain Park, in Hoover, Alabama, on Saturday, March 7, 2020.
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Photo by Jon Anderson
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Andrew Ladores, a coach for the Hoover Hurricanes 11-year-old and 12-year-old team (in blue hoodie), huddles with his team during a game against the Vestavia Hills Vipers on opening day at Hoover Sports Park West, also known as Shades Mountain Park, in Hoover, Alabama, on Saturday, March 7, 2020.
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Photo by Jon Anderson
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A pitcher for the 10-and-under Brewers, pitches during a game with the Braves on opening day at Hoover Sports Park West, also known as Shades Mountain Park, in Hoover, Alabama, on Saturday, March 7, 2020.
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Photo by Jon Anderson
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Fans watch the Brewers play the Braves in the 10-and-under league at Hoover Sports Park West, also known as Shades Mountain Park, on opening day in Hoover, Alabama, on Saturday, March 7, 2020.
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Photo by Jon Anderson
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The Brewers play the Braves in the 10-and-under league at Hoover Sports Park West, also known as Shades Mountain Park, on opening day in Hoover, Alabama, on Saturday, March 7, 2020.
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Photo by Jon Anderson
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James Smelcer, 7, climbs down from a tree during his brother's game on opening day at Hoover Sports Park West, also known as Shades Mountain Park, in Hoover, Alabama, on Saturday, March 7, 2020.
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Photo by Jon Anderson
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Liam Price gets ready to run from second base for the Mets in the 5-year-old and 6-year-old league at Hoover Sports Park West, also known as Shades Mountain Park, during a game with the Braves on opening day in Hoover, Alabama, on Saturday, March 7, 2020.
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Photo by Jon Anderson
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Cason Nichols takes his turn at bat for the Mets in the 5-year-old and 6-year-old league at Hoover Sports Park West, also known as Shades Mountain Park, during a game with the Braves on opening day in Hoover, Alabama, on Saturday, March 7, 2020.
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Photo by Jon Anderson
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Foley Grier plays right center field for the 5-year-old and 6-year-old Mets during a game with the Braves on opening day at Hoover Sports Park West, also known as Shades Mountain Park, in Hoover, Alabama, on Saturday, March 7, 2020.
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Photo by Jon Anderson
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Foley Grier plays right center field for the 5-year-old and 6-year-old Mets during a game with the Braves on opening day at Hoover Sports Park West, also known as Shades Mountain Park, in Hoover, Alabama, on Saturday, March 7, 2020.
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Photo by Jon Anderson
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Hoyt Cleckler runs to first base after hitting the ball for the Braves in the 5-year-old and 6-year-old league at Hoover Sports Park West, also known as Shades Mountain Park, during a game with the Mets on opening day in Hoover, Alabama, on Saturday, March 7, 2020.
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Photo by Jon Anderson
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Cason Nichols gets ready to run from second base for the Mets in the 5-year-old and 6-year-old league at Hoover Sports Park West, also known as Shades Mountain Park, during a game with the Braves on opening day in Hoover, Alabama, on Saturday, March 7, 2020.
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Photo by Jon Anderson
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Trey Finch, a coach with the 5-year-old and 6-year-old Mets at Hoover Sports Park West, also known as Shades Mountain Park, directs a runner to first base during a game with the Braves on opening day in Hoover, Alabama, on Saturday, March 7, 2020.
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Photo by Jon Anderson
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Liam Price takes his turn at bat for the Mets in the 5-year-old and 6-year-old league at Hoover Sports Park West, also known as Shades Mountain Park, during a game with the Braves on opening day in Hoover, Alabama, on Saturday, March 7, 2020.
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Photo by Jon Anderson
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Liam Price takes his turn at bat for the Mets in the 5-year-old and 6-year-old league at Hoover Sports Park West, also known as Shades Mountain Park, during a game with the Braves on opening day in Hoover, Alabama, on Saturday, March 7, 2020.
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Photo by Jon Anderson
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The Braves play the Mets in the 5-year-old and 6-year-old league on opening day at Hoover Sports Park West, also known as Shades Mountain Park, in Hoover, Alabama, on Saturday, March 7, 2020.
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Photo by Jon Anderson
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The Dodgers play the Orioles on opening day in the T-ball league at Hoover Sports Park West, also known as Shades Mountain Park, in Hoover, Alabama, on Saturday, March 7, 2020.
Sunny skies provided cool but pleasant weather Saturday for opening day of the baseball season at Hoover Sports Park West, also known as Shades Mountain Park.
The park this year has 617 players on 60 teams in its recreation league and 117 more players ages 11-14 on 11 teams in the Over-the-Mountain League, which includes teams from Hoover Sports Park West, Hoover Sports Park East, Homewood, Mountain Brook, Oak Mountain, Trussville and Vestavia Hills, said Sean Monte, president of the board for Shades Mountain Park.
The regular baseball season there will continue through early May, he said.
Park officials are still trying to work out some kinks with concessions, but overall opening day went well, Monte said.
“I think it was great. We finally got some good weather,” he said. “It looked like the kids were having fun, which is what it’s all about. So yeah, I’d call it a successful day for sure.”
