While rain threatened early in the morning, the sun broke through the gray clouds at 10 a.m., just as all the players were lining up along the outfield grass for team introductions, the running of the bases by the league's littlest players, the national anthem and the other traditional opening day festivities. When the rain came later in the morning, the ceremonies were well underway and it did not wash away the players' enthusiasm.

In an attempt to keep some of the older kids interested in the day's events--those who didn't get to run the bases or have a game later--the league held an inaugural home run contest featuring players from each of the Major Division teams, offered a booth to clock pitching speeds and an inflatable obstacle course.

But those who most enjoyed the day were the young players, who were antsy to get their chance to run around the bases when their teams were introduced.

Steve Ferroni, who coaches the A-Ball Dodgers, says his players were excited for opening day.

"The younger kids, if it's their first or second time, get a real kick out of it. They like to run the bases," says Ferroni, who has been coaching baseball, off and on, since 1978.

An Almaden Valley resident for eight years, Ferroni says that his goal as an A-Ball coach--the difference between T-Ball and A-Ball is that the players hit off a pitching machine instead of a tee--is to teach the basics of throwing, catching and hitting to his players.

"We just want to get these kids to be competitive, learn the basics and get them to come out again next year," says Ferroni. "Otherwise we'll lose them to soccer."