Parents, relatives and players crowded under and around the gazebo at Castleberg Park on Saturday, March 23 for Opening Day activities for the Riverbank Youth Baseball-Softball Association. It was held there despite the rain that forced cancellation of the traditional parade from Community Center to the park. The festivities also included the presentation of the colors by Riverbank Scout Troop 1100, the Pledge of Allegiance, the reading of a proclamation by Riverbank Vice Mayor Darlene Barber-Martinez and the ceremonial first pitch. Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Department Chief Mike Whorton was called upon to throw out the first pitch of the RYBSA 2019 season but did so on pavement as opposed to the rain-soaked playing field, with early games canceled due to the inclement weather.

Ric McGinnis/The News