Youngsters, their family and friends turned out Saturday for Manhattan Beach Little League and Girls Softball's Opening Day Parade, an annual event in Manhattan Beach.

The Mira Costa High School Marching Band led the parade, following on the wheels of Manhattan Beach Police Department's Andy Harrod, on motorcycle, who made sure all was well before the parade made its way through downtown Manhattan Beach to American Martyrs School for the first official pitch of the season.

As kids dressed in baseball/softball uniforms walked the oceanside streets of downtown MB, some holding hands with teammates or their parents, fans of all ages gathered on city sidewalks to watch the procession.

Two French tourists, who happened upon the marchers, loved the spirited parade and the hometown feel it represented.

More than 1,300 kids ages 5-12 participate in the leagues, according to Dennis Kane, MBLL communications and information officer and MBLL co-commissioner of the 50/70 Division, noting that in its first year in 1958, MBLL's roster showed 242 boys playing on 14 teams--4 major league teams and 10 minor league teams. 

"MBLL has always had an opening day parade since the first opening day," according to Andrew Hunter, MBLL co-player agent. "The city mayor, Foster Dean, threw out the first pitch in 1958 after the boys in uniform marched up 15th Street to AMS field from downtown."

The 57-year-old tradition was full of excitement on Saturday. Harrod, who was honored for his 40 years of service with the Manhattan Beach Police Department, whizzed around on his motorcycle, as the band marched behind him, followed by a fire truck with Manhattan Beach Fire fighters on board, and vintage cars with city officials and baseball brass.

 The teams followed, some chanting cheers for their teams, their arms pumping the air (as much as a young kids' arm can), others threw candy to the sidelines and marchers behind them. Parents and coaches walked with the kids, some holding hands with their kids in a display of family fun.

Once at the playground and ball fields of American Martyrs School, participants gathered on the field to hear speeches. MBLL President David Henschel (who is also president of Manhattan Beach Youth Athletics, the overarching body of the baseball/softball leagues) recognized the league's 2014 MB Juniors All-Star team, which reached the final U.S. game of the World Series in Taylor, Michigan last summer.

The choir from Manhattan Beach MIddle School sang the Star Spangled Banner. City officials in attendance included Mayor Wayne Powell, Mayor Pro Tem Mark Burton, council members David Lesser and Tony D'Errico, and Assembly member David Hadley, a Manhattan Beach resident.