IYAA Baseball/Softball enjoys fun in the sun on opening day at Upchurch Park

Barry Byers Posted April 8, 2015 10:00pm IYAA Baseball/Softball

Image: Italy’s Hagan Carr looks confident while at bat during IYAA Baseball/Softball Opening Day at Upchurch Ballpark. — Italy’s Hagan Carr looks confident while at bat during IYAA Baseball/Softball Opening Day at Upchurch Ballpark. (Barry Byers)

Italy — The Italy Youth Athletic Association (IYAA) enjoyed a full day of action to begin their 2015 Baseball/Softball season.

Fans are invited to stop by and support our teams scheduled to play home games on Saturday, April 11, at the Upchurch Ballpark. The concession stand will be open as always.

IYAA Sports, “The winning tradition starts here.”

Italy’s Taylor Sparks scores a run for his team. (Barry Byers)

Italy base runner Clayton Hellner waits for the green light from dad and coach Jay Hellner at first base. (Barry Byers)

Brodie Hugghins watches teammate Jay Copeland step on home plate for an Italy run against Kopperl. (Barry Byers)

Chance Shaffer cheers on his teammates from the Italy dugout. (Barry Byers)

Jay Copeland gets some encouraging words from his dad and coach, Nick Copeland. (Barry Byers)

Clayton Hellner hurries across home plate for an Italy run. (Barry Byers)

Patiently waiting to bat in the dugout. (Barry Byers)

Hagan Carr beats the throw home to score a run for Italy. (Barry Byers)

First-baseman Bryce Ballard warms up the infielders between innings. (Barry Byers)

Italy third-baseman Chance Shaffer tracks down a foul ball. (Barry Byers)

Jay Copeland brings the heat against Kopperl. (Barry Byers)

That’s Taylor Sparks behind the catcher’s mask for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Italy’s Lucky Johnson (Far right) and his teammates celebrate an 8-4 win over Maypearl in 8U the Boys Machine Pitch division before sharing Lucky’s birthday cake. (Barry Byers)

Gared Wood makes off with a win over Maypearl and a cupcake. (Barry Byers)

Gary Wood and wife Darla Wood are set to enjoy another season of IYAA Sports. (Barry Byers)

Italy Girls T-ball pitcher Halee Carr tosses the ball to first base. (Barry Byers)

Taylor Souder controls the ball at third base to stop the action. (Barry Byers)

Italy’s Alex Creighton hustles to first base after hitting the ball of the batting tee. (Barry Byers)

Jordynn Wiser reaches first base for Italy’s T-ball girls. (Barry Byers)

The joy of hitting the ball off the tee!!! (Barry Byers)

Italy’s Taylor Souder takes a swing of the batting tee against Palmer. (Barry Byers)

Italy’s T-ball girls run the bases to finish in a tie with Palmer, 15-15. (Barry Byers)

Carson enjoyed his IYAA opening day experience, and the game was fun too! (Barry Byers)