GREENVILLE – Greenville’s Citizens Baseball League opening day was a washout and will not be made up due to its major fundraiser of the year landing on the first weekend following the rainout and the second weekend slated for the 15th Annual Summer Kickoff Bash at Greenville’s Sater Heights Park.
“Our first week of baseball started on Monday, May 5th,” said GCBL Trustee Daniel Jones. “It was a little rough start because we kept having more rain. Monday was rained out, Tuesday was rained out, finally, Wednesday the weather broke, so basically our opening day was Wednesday. All the kids had a good time, the weather was beautiful, great turnout, and everything went fantastically.”
The organization had the two weekends following the Opening Day rainout booked with events, pushing Opening Day to Wednesday evening, the first clear day following the weekend rainout.
“Obviously, we couldn’t work in the opening day, but next year we’re hoping to get something planned and make it special,” Jones said.
This past weekend was GCBL’s largest fundraiser, providing nearly half of the dollars needed to fund GCBL for the year.
“It’s one time a year in the spring, so everybody buys their flowers,” Jones noted. “It’s always the day before Mother’s Day, so that works out pretty good. A lot of people use these flowers to give to their moms.”
“We have all the board members, trustees, and also past board members and trustees, a lot of parents from the baseball teams and coaches, and kids helping. It’s a good time. We spend about seven hours picking, and everyone starts rolling in about 1:30 p.m., taking their flowers.”
“Last year it was raining,” Jones continued. “We had ponchos on and it was a mess, but this year, beautiful clear skies, sun, and just a beautiful day.”
The first major tournament of the 2025 season, ‘Summer Kickoff Bash’ takes place this weekend, May 16-18, 2025.
“We have over 50 teams participating,” said Jones. “We start Friday evening and run Friday, Saturday, and all day Sunday. The last team leaves at 10 p.m.”
The Greenville Citizens Baseball League concession stand is known far and wide for its quality food, candy, and drinks.
“We have the famous Winner’s tenderloin sandwiches, we have our famous pretzels, we have good cheeseburgers, hamburgers, hot dogs, candy, and drinks,” Jones stated. “It should be a really good weekend.”
