By LAURA BROOKHART / Community Columnist

Helena Parks & Recreation officially welcomed spring with their season opener in early March with all players and teams assembling for several hours that included team photos, practice games, bouncing houses and food at the Sports Complex. Stephen Hauck, WIAT 42 News Anchor, threw the first pitch.

The scene from above was certainly a busy one, if anyone had been filming from a blimp.

At least one mom was spotted purposefully striding toward the designated field with her daughter in tow wearing a T-shirt that read, “I can’t keep calm, I’m a softball mom!”

Coaches Emmanuel Scozzaro, Patrick Deveraux and Kyle Davis were proceeding as a group with their t-ball team, the Red Sox.

These youngsters were enthusiastically sporting No. 1 red foam mitts almost as large as themselves.

Coach and lawyer Scozzaro shared the satisfaction this shared participation with son, Kolt, brings. His wife, Kristi, is “team mom.”

“Other than being a parent in general, one of the greatest joys of life is being able to coach your child in a local sports program,” Scozzaro said. “I coached my two oldest children, both girls, throughout their softball years and we all had a blast. Now, I am blessed to be coaching my 4-year-old son’s t-ball team and this is an incredible experience! If you haven’t experienced t-ball, it is like chasing ants dipped in baby oil!

“My son shares my lifelong love of baseball—Go Braves!—and he has participated in t-ball since he was only 3. My son plays spring ball and fall ball, and it is as much fun for me as it is for him.”

“After t-ball, he will move on to rookie league and to older leagues each couple of years thereafter. Along with being able to teach my son the game of baseball and watch him grow and learn, I am building memories that will be etched in my mind long after he is a man.”

“We are father and son, coach and player, creating bonds that are woven as tight as the seams of a baseball.”