The Peabody West Little League (PWLL) soon enters its 60th season, as opening day on April 23 is quickly approaching.
PWLL president Keith Slattery is excited as ever to kick off the season.
“I have been the president of the PWLL for eight years, and being a part of another opening is an honor,” Slattery said. “This league has accomplished a great deal, and this being year 60 of its existence is a testament to that.”
The PWLL is also bringing back an opening day-tradition Slattery has never been involved with: the parade.
“It has been over 10 years since we have had the parade take place on opening day,” Slattery said. “I, for one, have not been a part of one, but it is fitting that the parade comes back on the 60th anniversary.”
Slattery expanded upon what the parade will look like.
“The PWLL teams, families, and friends are going to go on about a half-mile walk, which will start at the West Church on Johnson Street,” Slattery said. “The league will then walk around downtown and head towards the back entrance of the PWLL fields. After the walk, there will be intersquad exhibitions along with fun activities and food. We hope the parade is here to stay moving forward as well.”
In 2022, the PWLL and city of Peabody secured $10,000 in funding to complete a long-overdue rehabilitation of Majors Division infield. As a result, it drains significantly better, and the PWLL plans to avoid postponements and cancellations against the weather.
Slattery is hopeful the PWLL will accomplish a similar feat in 2023.
“The goal is to raise enough funding and complete the same project we did in 2022 in 2023, but with the focus being on our Minors League’s field,” Slattery said. “Our lower-level fields are in drastic need of this type of upgrade, and I am confident that is something we will be able to achieve this year.”
The PWLL is not only a fun league, but a very competitive one.
“Since PWLL’s inception 60 years ago, we have fielded a strong league as we have been crowned district champions 16 times,” Slattery said. “The PWLL qualified for the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania in 2009, and everyone in Peabody remembers that season.”
Slattery expounded upon how strong the league has been the past two seasons.
“If you look at the last two years, the PWLL were district champions in 2021 and 2022, sectional champions in 2021, and state champions in 2021,” Slattery said. “I am proud of the product the kids showcase year in and year out, and they have a ton of fun in doing so.”
With the 2023 season nearing its first pitch, more great things are sure to come for the PWLL.
