The IYAA enjoys opening day at Upchurch Field

Image: IYAA volunteers pitch-in to ensure that opening day was a hit — The IYAA had it’s opening day for the 2009 baseball season on Monday. This might be a good time to invest in sausage as the projected “sausage-on-a-stick” sales are looking up at Upchurch Field in Italy.

IYAA volunteers pitch-in to ensure that opening day was a hit — The IYAA had it’s opening day for the 2009 baseball season on Monday. This might be a good time to invest in sausage as the projected “sausage-on-a-stick” sales are looking up at Upchurch Field in Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy wins by 4 — The Pink Panthers will be a tough team to beat this year…count on it!

Italy wins by 4 — The Pink Panthers will be a tough team to beat this year…count on it! (Barry Byers)

Image: Strike! — Both teams pitched well in their season openers.

Strike! — Both teams pitched well in their season openers. (Barry Byers)

Image: Dust storm — Hillsboro’s throw beats the slide into first base.

Dust storm — Hillsboro’s throw beats the slide into first base. (Barry Byers)

Image: He’s safe! — Coach Jason Escamilla calls Cody Boyd safe at second base. Fortunately, the umpire agreed with Jason’s assessment of the play.

He’s safe! — Coach Jason Escamilla calls Cody Boyd safe at second base. Fortunately, the umpire agreed with Jason’s assessment of the play. (Barry Byers)

Image: Norwood hits — Ken Norwood, Jr. puts the wood on this shot to the outfield.

Norwood hits — Ken Norwood, Jr. puts the wood on this shot to the outfield. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cody Boyd — First Baseman Cody Boyd stops the grounder and tags the base for an out.

Cody Boyd — First Baseman Cody Boyd stops the grounder and tags the base for an out. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gearing up — Italy’s hitting machines get geared up.

Gearing up — Italy’s hitting machines get geared up. (Barry Byers)

Image: Batter…batter…swing! — Italy 12 and under came out swinging on opening day.

Batter…batter…swing! — Italy 12 and under came out swinging on opening day. (Barry Byers)

Image: Behind the mask — Brycelen’s wearing pink…I think I’m gonna cry…

Behind the mask — Brycelen’s wearing pink…I think I’m gonna cry… (Barry Byers)

Image: Annie Perry — Annie Perry likes what she sees as she watches her Pink Panther team close out the win against Hillsboro.

Annie Perry — Annie Perry likes what she sees as she watches her Pink Panther team close out the win against Hillsboro. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cason Roberts — Some guys just know how to live…

Cason Roberts — Some guys just know how to live… (Barry Byers)

Image: Isn’t that Tweet? — Baseball Coach Shawn Holden helped his girls win by a hair over Hillsboro 6-2.

Isn’t that Tweet? — Baseball Coach Shawn Holden helped his girls win by a hair over Hillsboro 6-2. (Barry Byers)

Image: Seeing spots — The Pink Panthers had Hillsboro seeing spots after Italy’s 6-2 win.

Seeing spots — The Pink Panthers had Hillsboro seeing spots after Italy’s 6-2 win. (Barry Byers)

Image: Tara’s ready — Tara Wallis watches the Italy Pink Panthers dismantle Hillsboro before her team’s game.

Tara’s ready — Tara Wallis watches the Italy Pink Panthers dismantle Hillsboro before her team’s game. (Barry Byers)

Image: We won! — Pink Panthers could be spotted a mile away at Upchurch Field on Monday.

We won! — Pink Panthers could be spotted a mile away at Upchurch Field on Monday. (Barry Byers)

Image: Grace Haight — The Pink Panthers looked grace-ful against Hillsboro, and afterwards, Grace Haight savors the taste of victory.

Grace Haight — The Pink Panthers looked grace-ful against Hillsboro, and afterwards, Grace Haight savors the taste of victory. (Barry Byers)

Image: Circled in — “I have had this date circled on my calendar since last season ended.”

Circled in — “I have had this date circled on my calendar since last season ended.” (Barry Byers)

Image: A cutie…? — Don’t let that pretty pink helmet and that manufactured smile throw you off, Hooker is rough and tough.

A cutie…? — Don’t let that pretty pink helmet and that manufactured smile throw you off, Hooker is rough and tough. (Barry Byers)

Image: Alyssa Wiser — Alyssa was safe at third base during her practice.

Alyssa Wiser — Alyssa was safe at third base during her practice. (Barry Byers)

Image: Girl Power! — Now that’s intimidation!

Girl Power! — Now that’s intimidation! (Barry Byers)

Image: Perry was prepared — Lillie Perry looked sharp at first base for Italy pulling off one of the plays of the game when she leaped for a high throw to first base and was able to, without looking, land on the base after the catch for the out.

Perry was prepared — Lillie Perry looked sharp at first base for Italy pulling off one of the plays of the game when she leaped for a high throw to first base and was able to, without looking, land on the base after the catch for the out. (Barry Byers)

Image: Giggles and grounders — The Italy team was all smiles trying to get on the same page before the game.

Giggles and grounders — The Italy team was all smiles trying to get on the same page before the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Take that! — Tara Wallis delivers the knockout punch to Hillsboro pitching the whole game helping Italy win 18-2.

Take that! — Tara Wallis delivers the knockout punch to Hillsboro pitching the whole game helping Italy win 18-2. (Barry Byers)

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