The 46th National Little League Week kicked off Sunday, June 12, with the first-ever Tee Ball on the Hill event. Ontario District’s 2 and 6, Ottawa West and East, gathered some of their own Tee Ball players for a demonstration right on the northeast corner of Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Ottawa West, in red, was comprised of Ottawa West Little League and East Nepean Little League. Ottawa East, white jerseys, saw Orleans Little League, Prescott-Russell Little League, Glebe Little League, South Ottawa Little League and Carleton-Russell Little League all come together for this event.
Little League Baseball Canada would like to thank Anita Vandenbeld, the host of the event and Member of Parliament for Ottawa West-Nepean for all of her help in making this event possible. Mrs. Vandenbeld officially declared National Little League Week at the beginning of ceremony.
“Little League is the largest volunteer driven youth sport organization in the world, with over three million boys and girls playing,” said Mrs. Vandenbeld, “I am happy to host the 46th National Little League Week Tee Ball on the Hill and I congratulate all of the volunteers, players and coaches who make this organization a success and who do so much to encourage our youth to be active.”
Member of Parliament Chandra Arya of Nepean also came out for the festivities, helping to celebrate Little League and youth sport in Canada.
This event would also not have been possible without the parents, players and umpires who donated their time to come out to this inaugural event. A parent and coach of the Ottawa West team spoke about the event and why he and his son came out:
“The kids had a heck of a time, it was great fun. I wanted to get my son interested in baseball, what better way than to get him involved in a big event like this on Parliament Hill.”
The Tee Ball on the Hill initiative was launched by Little League Baseball Canada to promote interest in baseball and foster a spirit of teamwork and service for Canada’s youth. The Organizing Committee is extremely grateful for the support for this event from the Government of Canada, Parliament Hill, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and the community for helping to make this day possible.