By Marc Thaler
Staff Writer

Even when a hitter anticipates a curveball is coming, the pitch can still buckle the knees if it's good enough.

UNDER COVER - This quartet of 12-year-old softball players for BGN Contracting traded in their bats for some shelter during Hooksett Little League's Opening Day ceremonies at a very wet and cold Donati Field on Saturday, May 7. Pictured from left are Katie Philbrick, Haleigh Parker, Deven McKiernan and Erin Flynn. (Marc Thaler Photo)

Mother Nature recently threw her best breaking ball - a spring storm that brought a weekend's worth of cold, wet weather to town, coinciding with Hooksett Little League's Opening Day on Saturday, May 7.

But knowing the Nor'Easter would dampen Donati Field, parents, coaches, players and volunteers came prepared to fight off Mother Nature's nasty offering.

Countless umbrellas, jackets and blankets made sure Opening Day wouldn't succumb to a rain delay.

"It's a lot like Fenway Park. You go to Opening Day there and it feels like it's the middle of winter sometimes with the wind blowing," Hooksett Little League President Jim White said before the ceremony began. "It'll be a little bit cold, but the kids will still probably have a lot of fun."

By all indications, the steady rain did little to wash away the smiles of hundreds of children.

Roughly 460 boys and girls between ages 5 and 15 signed up for the league's '05 campaign, according to White. Last year's numbers, he added, were around 440.

The increase in interested baseball and softball players was especially impressive, White said, considering the second season of Hooksett lacrosse presented another spring sport to young athletes.

White also cited three other reasons for the league's solid numbers.

First, the town's rapid growth meant more families have children who want to play ball.

Second, the roughly 125 to 150 people who serve as coaches, umpires, concession stand volunteers and the fields' grounds crew make the playing experience fun for all involved.

"They want what's best for the kids as well," White said. "It makes it extremely easy to know that things will get done well ... If we didn't have those volunteers, I'd probably have to be down here seven days a week taking care of a lot more."

Of course, the third reason might be the biggest of them all.

"The Red Sox winning the World Series," White said. "That created a lot of momentum for us, a lot of excitement around baseball and softball."

A contingent of competitive young ladies proved White hit a home run with his third point.

Holding an impromptu press conference on the bleachers, several softball players from BGN Contracting screamed in unison that their favorite "Sox" are of the "Red" variety.

"The Sox rock," confirmed 12-year-old Deven McKiernan. "I like Johnny Damon the most," added 12-year-old Katie Philbrick, whose answer was well received by her teammates.

Well, everyone except 10- year-old Kenzie Frazier, that is.

"I like Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez," she said of the New York Yankees. ultra-expensive left side of the infield.

Although Frazier's favorites were booed by her buddies, the group was in complete agreement in two other areas.

For starters, these girls love spending their spring and summer days on the diamond.

"I love catching because you're in every play," said 12- year-old Taylor Frazier.

"I like playing third base," said Jayne Kelly, 12. "When you play there, a lot of balls are hit to you."

And the second reason these girls couldn't wait to begin the '05 season?

Much like last Saturday's weather, these girls hope to provide their rivals with a dish best served cold.

"We want revenge on The Donovan Family," said a smiling McKiernan, referring to the team that knocked off BGN in last year's first Tri-County Interleague championship game.

Final scores aside, White said he hopes the '05 campaign teaches a new group of boys and girls to take pleasure in playing baseball and softball.

"I think that love of the game comes from developing (skills), understanding the game more, and just going out and having fun," he said. "It's not necessarily about winning."