Photos by Ray Welch|Daily News Saturday marked opening day for the 60th season of Middlesboro Little League baseball. Above, all the players on the six minor league and six major league teams line up on the diamond as their names are called. This year's minor league team sponsors are Home Federal Bank, Lee's Famous Recipe, Cumberland Gap Water, Dairy Queen, D & B Tire and Yoakum Law Offices. The major league team sponsors are Dr. Epps, Coca-Cola, People's Choice Pharmacy, Community Trust, Tri-State Tire and Overbays. Games will be played every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at the Middlesboro Little League Field behind the Community Center off 30th Street.

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On hand Saturday to throw out the ceremonial first pitch was Roy Stapleton, the last living adult associated with the first season of Middlesboro Little League baseball in 1953. Stapleton was a founding board member and also coached during that inaugural season. In 1954 he coached the Middlesboro team to a state Little League championship. Here, Stapleton throws out the first pitch to Riley Gent. In the background, Walt Overbay speaks to three of the players from that 1954 championship team: James Boxx, Freddie Joe Ditty and Kenny Williams.

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Photos by Ray Welch|Daily News

Above: Saturday marked opening day for the 60th season of Middlesboro Little League baseball. Above, all the players on the six minor league and six major league teams line up on the diamond as their names are called. This year’s minor league team sponsors are Home Federal Bank, Lee’s Famous Recipe, Cumberland Gap Water, Dairy Queen, D & B Tire and Yoakum Law Offices. The major league team sponsors are Dr. Epps, Coca-Cola, People’s Choice Pharmacy, Community Trust, Tri-State Tire and Overbays. Games will be played every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at the Middlesboro Little League Field behind the Community Center off 30th Street.

Left: On hand Saturday to throw out the ceremonial first pitch was Roy Stapleton, the last living adult associated with the first season of Middlesboro Little League baseball in 1953. Stapleton was a founding board member and also coached during that inaugural season. In 1954 he coached the Middlesboro team to a state Little League championship. Here, Stapleton throws out the first pitch to Riley Gent. In the background, Walt Overbay speaks to three of the players from that 1954 championship team: James Boxx, Freddie Joe Ditty and Kenny Williams.