Little League Baseball: NHBA spreads out the fun

Steve Virgen

NEWPORT BEACH - Even without Jim Abbott, the Newport Harbor

Baseball Association carried on with opening ceremonies and enjoyed

Saturday.

NHBA’s opening day featured team photos and a breakfast for all the

players coaches and parents.

Abbott, a longtime Major League pitcher who was previously scheduled

to appear, might be able to visit the league next month for a special

breakfast, according to special events coordinator Ron Salisbury.

Salisbury also said the league would work with a sports memorabilia

museum in Newport Beach to form an auction and arrange for a few

professional athletes to speak to the players later in the season.

“We’ll end up with a lot more (for the players) by the time we’re

through,” Salisbury said.

Salisbury believes the spreading out of the events would prove to be

more beneficial for the league.