Mary Meaux
The Port Arthur News
GROVES —
Bryceten Felps leaned against his mother, a few stray tears streaming down his face while lined up at third base early Saturday morning.
Wearing his Yankees team uniform, the tot, who will turn 3 next week, was one of about 300 children playing on 22 different teams in five different divisions who lined the field at the Jefferson County Pony League fields for opening day ceremonies March 24.
“He was all excited,” mother Brandi Felps, of Groves, said as Bryceten dried his tear. “He had watched my daughter (Brynli, age 4) play and wanted to play too.”
Cory Felps, father to the baseball playing duo, walked past the line of wiggling, giggling, crying tots and prepared them to be introduced.
The Felps siblings are playing in the Instructional T-Ball Division where teams consist of children ages 2 1/2 through age 4.
Robert Boudreaux, league president, said the league is the only Pony League in the county. Pony stands for Protecting Our Nations Youth.’
“We have about 300 kids playing and hope to grow,” Boudreaux said.
Proud parents and grand parents snapped photos and video of the ball players as the ceremony began. Nederland High School Cheerleaders, Travis Elementary School Cheerleaders, Lamar University Cheerleaders and Nederland High School band had representatives on field for the big day. Former U.S. Congressman Nick Lampson threw out the first pitch.
Astros team members Lance Wilkinson, 5, and his brother, Wesley Wilkinson, 6, posed next to each other while proud mom Jessica Wilkinson snapped photos.
The brothers are in the Shetland Division, the mother said, adding that their grandfather once coached at the fields and an uncle played ball there.
Jefferson County Pony League, formerly Groves American Baseball League, is located at 5800 West Washington.
mmeaux@panews.com
