February 23 was the perfect rainy Saturday for kids and parents to enjoy a hilarious movie at the Old Greenbelt Theatre and support Greenbelt’s now-official Little League program. Over 100 people, 53 adults and 50 children, attended the free movie. Enthusiastic Little Leaguers Mason Keaton and Oscar Gaycken encouraged guests to invest in their Little League. Adult volunteers answered questions and deftly registered potential all-stars. Sandlot, the featured film, follows the adventures of a misfit adolescent sandlot baseball team led by a fanatically dedicated baseball prodigy. “Being a community-based nonprofit allows us to provide this experience, pairing a familyfavorite film with a group doing great work in the community to bring everyone together. We’re thrilled to be able to host these kinds of events!” said Caitlin McGrath, executive director of the Old Greenbelt Theatre and parent of a baseball hopeful. Patrick Keaton, president of Greenbelt Youth Baseball Little League, was pleased with the turnout. “We greatly appreciate the support that we have received from our amazing community. This event could not have happened without the Old Greenbelt Theatre and our sponsor, Modell’s Sporting Goods. It was wonderful seeing kids excited again about baseball and we plan on continuing the excitement as we start practices and the season.” Founded in 1939, Little League Baseball and Softball is, according to their website, the world’s largest organized youth sports program, active in every U.S. state and more than 80 countries, with millions of players and more than one million adult volunteers. For nearly 80 years, Little Leaguers have learned and displayed dedication and sportsmanship, from home-town games to seven official Little League World Series events, the premier tournaments in youth sports.
Little Leaguers Encourage Moviegoers to Join the Team
Little Leaguers Mason Keaton and Oscar Gaycken make their pitch.