By Rob Phraner
“Play ball!”
Miles Craig announced the opening of another Athens Dixie Youth baseball season yesterday on a beautiful Saturday morning. Pastor Dave Carter blessed the year in prayer and Kathleen Phraner sang the National Anthem. The excitement and anticipation on the faces of the 5-12 year olds was tempered with the reality that baseball, and life, is a gift.
Ami Miller threw out the ceremonial first pitch. She is the mother of the late Josiah Miller. Josiah, a T-ball player for the Diamondbacks, was killed at the Huntsville Air Show last year. Josiah would have turned six April 10. Ami Miller was presented with a plaque from the league and a game ball from Dixie player Michael Elkins.
“This is what Josiah would have wanted,” a tearful Ami Miller said. “I know he’s smiling in heaven over us today. Baseball was his life.”
“He loved being here (at the Sportsplex field),” Maria ‘Ma-Mah’ Newby said.
Miles Craig, president of the Dixie program, expressed his thoughts on behalf of the league.
“These kids have touched our lives and we’re here for each other in times like these,” he said. “This is our way to express our gratitude to his family, because we’re all one family here and support each other.”
