Powder Springs’ baseball season has officially begun. 

Todd McGourk, head of the board of directors for Powder Springs Youth Baseball, said 38 teams are ready to roll. 

“The kids range from ages 4 to 14," he said. " They play three times a week, from now through the last day of school.”

The season started with the league's annual parade down Marietta Street through Powder Springs Park on Saturday.

Pastor Alan Davis gave the invocation, praying for good sportsmanship for the teams, and Mayor Pat Vaughn stepped to the plate for the first pitch.  She’s been a big baseball fan since her son played in the 1970s. 

John Howell, a member of the league's board of directors, made one last pitch before the games started: vote for SPLOST, as some of the money from the special tax will go to the park.

Kevin Smith, a 7-year coach, has two kids playing in the league. He said it gives them “a good baseball education—and fun.”

Brendan Richardson, an 11-year-old at Cheatham Hill Elementary, has been playing in the league for seven years.  What does he like best about playing? “Hitting,” he replied. Is he any good? “Sometimes,” he answered with a smirk.

Autumn Kirkpatrick, an 8-year-old at Fourner Elementary, is happy to be playing with her friends.  She said the position she plays is “what coach tells us.”

Brian Minish has coached his older son and now coaches “pre-ball” with the 4-year-olds.  He thinks it’s good for kids to get an early start on the sport.

“This teaches them the fundamentals," he said, "and how to be part of the team, and being able to take turns and share."