By Paige Gurgainers

The Minden Recreation Center celebrated “Opening Day” on Tuesday evening, April 1.  

Girls and boys of all ages gathered in team uniforms as they walked from the Recreation Center at the top of the hill down to playing fields where they dispersed anxiously awaiting the first pitch of the 2025 spring season.  

Police Chief Jared McIver, Deputy Chief Tokia Harrison, Minden Mayor Nick Cox and councilmen Buddy Myles and Andy Pendergrass led the way with Fire Chief Brian Williams marking the end of the parade with the Minden Fire Department engine.  

“As Mayor Cox, Chiefs McIver and Williams, Deputy Chief Harrison, and I looked to one direction at the masses of kids and parents and then to the other direction where cars were still lining the entire recreation drive waiting to drop off even more kids- we discussed with gladness the unique energy and vibrancy our youth sports programs bring to our community,” said councilman Pendergrass. 

Pendergrass has remained steadfast and passionate throughout his term on the city council regarding the importance of the Minden Rec Center and the opportunities it can bring to the city and the children that reside within it.  

“I believe that hundreds of children participating in a city sports league is a sign of health for our community. Baseball and softball create an environment where kids from different family dynamics, races, and worldviews must work together toward a team goal, and I think that’s so valuable for kids to learn because that is what the working world is like when they become adults,” he continued. 

Each elected official made their way to a field to participate in singing the National Anthem and make well wishes for the teams’ upcoming season. 

“Opening Day at the Minden Rec for baseball and softball is a celebration of togetherness. The Recreation staff, police and firefighters, and Diamond Club volunteers did a great job of organizing something that is quite difficult,” said Pendergrass. “But it’s so worth it to see all the teams parade down the hill and then lineup along the foul lines of their fields to face the flag and sing our national anthem. It’s so energizing, so together, so NOT watching a screen, and so deeply what America does best.” 

To access schedules for the spring season, please visit the recreation website at https://mindenrec.org/schedules/ .