Opening Day Ceremonies

We are always happy to have the weather and other factors align correctly to allow for our traditional opening day festivities.  We always try to have opening day on a Saturday early April holidays and school calendar can make it shift from year to year.  Opening day starts with a parade into Liberty field at 10am.  All our players march down lake road, from Belleville Drive and onto Liberty field. Once one the field, we'll host a ceremony celebrating our league and players to be followed by a day full of games at every level.

The area around the field is closed off so the kids can run around and play safely.  We always have games and other fun activities for the kids and an expanded menu at our concession stand.  Many times we have special guests, local vendors and NVCC Merch for sale.  

If this is your first year with the NVCCLL and want to get a better idea of what opening day is like, or perhaps you want to relive the event check out these past highlights.

2024 Opening Day
2022 Opening Day


Frequently Asked Questions

• What should I bring = You do not need to bring anything by your player to opening day.  Your player should be in their team uniform even if they do not have a game that day so they can march in the parade and take pictures.  Unless your player is has a early game it is ideal they do not wear cleats to march just so they are comfortable.  It also makes sense to dress yourselves and your player in layers, often times opening day weather can be chilly especially early on.  Although the concessions stands does take credit cards not all vendors and activities available do so having some cash handy is also recommended.  Depending on your plans you may end up at the field for an extended time on Opening day so folding chairs and/or picnic blankets are also very common.
  
• How do I get my player into the parade = It is best to drop your players off in the morning at the corner of Lake Rd. and Belleville dr.  Roads will start to get closed around 9AM so it is often best to take Mullberry rd. to Lily ln and then approach the staging area from there. Coaches will notify families of which adults will be at the staging areas. 
• Can I march with my player = If parents of t-ball players or very young rookie players feel it is important to march along with the team you are welcome.  We ask that parents of players 7 and up watch and cheer the kids along from the sidelines. 
  
• Where is best to watch the parade = Although many will sit or stand in the parking lot of Liberty School others really like to line Lake Rd. on the parade route.  Often times spectators will fill the road and march after the kids pass by.
• Where do I park = Parking for Opening day is first come first serve and fills up very quickly.  It is best to plan to bring as few cars as possible, carpool when you can, and ideally plan to park away from the field.  Many of the veteran little league families recommend dropping a family member at the field with any chairs or other equipment then parking on the side roads or at Rockland park.  After the first game ends often the liberty school parking lot will start to open up so you can always move your car closer then.  DO NOT block the ellipses in front of the school or park on the side of the entrance to the school lot.  It makes the visibility very difficult and we have had some near misses with kids in the past so vehicles parked in those areas will be towed at the owners expense.
  
• What will there be to do when my kid is not playing = The activities available at the field for opening day when your kids are not playing or watching a game vary from year to year.  Dunk tanks are common as are games like corn hole.  Some years different sponsors of the league will show up with activities like a speed pitch.  Additionally the school basketball courts are a popular activity as are the playgrounds.
• Is this only for families with players = Our opening day is intended to be a community activity all are welcome!  We are very happy to see former NVCCLL players or even families from other parts of clarkstown.  If you are new to the community this is an excellent time to get to know some local families and check out the league.  There are always lots of our volunteers and board members on hand to answer questions.
• Can I come and sell stuff at opening day = Any Yes we are happy to provide you space as a vendor at our Opening day.  The cost for a table space is $25 for existing sponsors and $50 for other organizations.   You can purchase a vendor spot at Opening day here.
• Will I be able to take pictures? = Yes there will be lots of time for pictures and often some pros will be there to offer some shots we have even filmed past events with a drone. We do however ask that you avoid coming on to the field to take photos until after opening remarks.  Additionally please ask your players to respect any video & audio equipment they may see including drones.  These items are very expensive and are donated by sponsors and volunteers.