Jacob Katasse, 16, gets ready to throw the ceremonial first pitch of the Gastineau Channel Little League baseball season to Parker Katasse, 12, on Saturday at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. The two are the great-grandsons of Officer Richard Adair, one of two police officers killed in the line of duty for whom the park is named. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Jacob Katasse, 16, gets ready to throw the ceremonial first pitch of the Gastineau Channel Little League baseball season to Parker Katasse, 12, on Saturday at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. The two are the great-grandsons of Officer Richard Adair, one of two police officers killed in the line of duty for whom the park is named. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

A pitch-perfect opening day for Gastineau Channel Little League

A big day for Little League touches on local program’s history.

Gastineau Channel Little League’s latest season — its 70th — started with multiple nods to a past that predates Alaska’s statehood.

The league, which started in 1952 and lost one season to the COVID-19 pandemic, held opening day festivities Saturday at Juneau’s Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park in an event that included ceremonial pitches from people with deep connections to league and local history.

On the baseball side, that meant 16-year-old Jacob Katasse throwing to 12-year-old Parker Katasse. The Katasses are great-grandsons of Juneau Police Officer Richard Adair, who along with Officer Jimmy Kennedy was killed on April 17, 1979, while responding to a report of shots fired in a downtown neighborhood. Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park is named for the two slain officers.

Gregg Parker, grandfather of the two boys and former son-in-law of Adair, said he was “very emotional” watching the first pitch.

“I’ve been waiting like 44 years to watch the boys from Rick play baseball on this field,” Parker said, noting Adair was a longtime baseball coach in Juneau.

Jacob Katasse said it was special to be part of the ceremony and Parker Katasse said he was nervous he would drop the ball.

Parker Katasse, 12, gets ready to catch the ceremonial first pitch of the Gastineau Channel Little League baseball season Saturday at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. Katasse is the great grandson of Richard Adair, one of two police officers killed in the line of duty for whom the park is named. Although Katasse primarily plays short stop, he had no trouble handling the pitch. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Parker Katasse, 12, gets ready to catch the ceremonial first pitch of the Gastineau Channel Little League baseball season Saturday at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. Katasse is the great grandson of Richard Adair, one of two police officers killed in the line of duty for whom the park is named. Although Katasse primarily plays short stop, he had no trouble handling the pitch. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

The fears were unfounded and Parker Katasse handled a fastball with no signs of nerves.

The softball season was ceremonially started by simultaneous pitches from Mandy Massey and Gloria Bixby. The mother-daughter duo have a direct line to the inception of GCLL softball in addition to athletic accolades of their own.

Massey’s father, David, was integral to the formation of the program in 1986, which helped lay a foundation that allowed Massey to be part of the first softball team at what was then called Juneau-Douglas High School. Bixby, a lifelong GCLL participant, is a senior at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé where she is a member of the currently undefeated softball team.

Bixby said an early morning wake-up and some practice throws were part of preparation for the season-starting pitches.

 Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire
Mandy Massey smiles at her daughter, Gloria Bixby, before the two threw simultaneous ceremonial first pitches Saturday at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. Massey and Bixby have a direct line to the inception of Gastineau Channel Little League softball as Massey’s father, David, was integral in the formation of the program.

 Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire Mandy Massey smiles at her daughter, Gloria Bixby, before the two threw simultaneous ceremonial first pitches Saturday at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. Massey and Bixby have a direct line to the inception of Gastineau Channel Little League softball as Massey’s father, David, was integral in the formation of the program.

Massey called the first-pitch experience “unforgettable” and praised GCLL’s development over the years.

“It’s neat to see the program advance over the years,” Massey said, adding the caliber of players in the league is impressive.

Mandy Massey and Gloria Bixby throw the first pitches of the Gastineau Channel Little League softball season on Saturday at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. The mother-daughter duo said some practice was needed ahead of the pitches, but the experience was “unforgettable” and fun. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Mandy Massey and Gloria Bixby throw the first pitches of the Gastineau Channel Little League softball season on Saturday at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. The mother-daughter duo said some practice was needed ahead of the pitches, but the experience was “unforgettable” and fun. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Geoff Kirsch, information officer for GCLL, said the number of players is impressive, too.

This year, 447 youths across 40 teams and over 100 volunteers are part of the league, which Kirsch said is a net gain from last year. That meant team introductions ended with hundreds of youths milling about the field during opening day ceremonies.

That robust registration somewhat bucks recent local and national trends of dwindling Little League participation, Kirsch said. It also puts GCLL participation in the ballpark of its pre-pandemic numbers.

The Scrappers led by Ayden Thibodeau in front make their way through a line of Thunder Mountain High School baseball players on Gastineau Channel Little League’s opening day. Forty teams took part in festivities held Saturday at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

The Scrappers led by Ayden Thibodeau in front make their way through a line of Thunder Mountain High School baseball players on Gastineau Channel Little League’s opening day. Forty teams took part in festivities held Saturday at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

However, Kirsch said GCLL is still short in one critical area — umpires.

He said anyone interested in being an umpire can find more information online at juneaulittleleague.com/Default.aspx?tabid=2749629 or reach out to umpire-in-chief Matt McGuan at chiefumpire@juneaulittleleague.com.

See more photos from the festivities below.

Contact Ben Hohenstatt at bhohenstatt@juneauempire.com or (907)308-48095. Follow him on Twitter at BenHohenstatt.

Kelsi Sell, a senior at Thunder Mountain High School, sings the national anthem Saturday at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park during Gastineau Channel Little League’s opening day ceremonies. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Kelsi Sell, a senior at Thunder Mountain High School, sings the national anthem Saturday at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park during Gastineau Channel Little League’s opening day ceremonies. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

High school and Little League baseball and softball teams bow their heads during the invocation that was part of Gastineau Channel Little League’s opening day Saturday at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. Invocation was given by Charles Rohrbacher, deacon for the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This year, nearly 450 youths are participating in GCLL. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

High school and Little League baseball and softball teams bow their heads during the invocation that was part of Gastineau Channel Little League’s opening day Saturday at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. Invocation was given by Charles Rohrbacher, deacon for the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This year, nearly 450 youths are participating in GCLL. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

More in Sports

A pair of Petersburg wiener dogs. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Pure Sole: ‘Bread and Butter’

So, evidently, I now have a nickname in my hometown of Petersburg.… Continue reading

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears volleyball team pose for a photo in Utqiagvik, formerly known as Barrow. From left are senior Evelyn Richards, junior Lavinia Ma’ake, senior Nina Jeter, assistant coach Abby Dean, sophomore Amelia Elfers, juniors Cambry Lockhart, Braith Dihle, Neela Thomas, sophomore June Troxel, junior Natalia Harris, sophomore Leila Cooper, assistant coach Mark Ibias and sophomore Braith Dihle. (Courtesy photo)
Crimson Bears face northern test on Utqiagvik courts

JDHS volleyball team learned a lot from Barrow community.

A short-eared owl pounced on something deep in the grass. (Photo by Greg Chaney)
On the Trails: Owls and voles and other observations

In the middle of October, bird watchers estimated about 40 short-eared owls… Continue reading

The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears girls swim and dive team won the 2024 Region V Championship Saturday at Petersburg. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Crimson Bears girls swim to Region V team championship

JDHS sweeps girls relays, boys place second to Ketchikan.

Fairbanks’ first real winter storm of October 2024 left behind an uncommon wet, slushy mess. (Photo by Bobby Bianco)
Alaska Science Forum: The numbers behind a weather forecast

A meteorologist from the National Weather Service’s local office recently told a… Continue reading

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé seniors Parker Boman, Lucia Chapell and Brooklyn Kanouse sport the teams new official JDHS Crimson Bears swim caps during practice Tuesday at Augustus Brown Pool in preparation for the Region V Swim & Dive Championships in Petersburg this weekend. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
‘Water’s water’ as swim team prepares for region championships

Tapering and secrecy lead to records set and championships won

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé volleyball coach Jody Levernier looks on as Crimson Bears seniors Evelyn Richards, senior Lavinia Ma’ake, sophomore June Troxel and junior Braith Dihle work a drill in practice Tuesday at the George Houston Gymnasium. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Volleyball team hits highs and lows on road trip

Crimson Bears staying positive after multiple games in Anchorage

The Juneau Huskies competition cheer team pose for a photo at last weekend’s 2024 Rally in the Valley Cheer Competition at Palmer’s Colony High School. Back row left to right: Assistant coach Rob Day, Savannah Cornett Markey, Avery Cornett Markey, Marzena Whitmore, Kajson Cunningham, Gracie Kohuth, assistant coach Katelyn Kohuth and head coach Stephany Day. Middle row l-r: Faith Montez, Rylie Mulkey, Ayla Keller, Tenlee Roemer, Samantha Day and Elijah Levy. Front row l-r: Assistant coach Vanessa Aube, Rory Love and Viviana Flores. (Photo courtesy Samantha Day).
Cheer teams are G… R… E… A… T… Great, great, great

JDHS football and JYFL cheerleading teams earn state awards

Be safe, stay together, be respectful, share your treats but not your tricks, have fun, and get outside on Halloween. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Pure Sole: Don’t Open The Door

A cowboy, a pirate and the pope walk into a bar… Nope,… Continue reading

Most Read