The boys, for the most part, seemed intent on getting their brand new uniforms dirty.

Yes, recreation baseball is back in season in Greenville.

They dove, they hit, they threw, they slid, and they chewed. Bubble gum, of course. Many of of them had to shake off the rust of winter. Throws were high (even from Councilman Ed Sims who tossed out the traditional first pitch) and glove reaction a bit slow.

But, hey, it was Opening Day.

Fun was the name of the game.

“I love it,” said Chad Vickery, who has coached a team for seven years.

Parents like Vickery play a big part in the city’s recreation baseball program. Either they’re coaching the game. Or they’re watching it.

Like Matt Pimpkin. His nine-year-old was playing on Thursday.

“I look at it like this: you let them play young and when they get a little bit older they get it out of their system and you’re still young enough to enjoy life,” Pimpkin joked.

GPRD director Jerome Harris said rosters for the 11 teams in Dixie Minor and Dixie Youth were at the maximum. Over 140 boys signed up to play this year. Over one hundred girls are signed up for softball, which starts next week. Harris said Tiny Tots and Tiny Mites (the two T-Ball leagues) have over 20 teams.