Transcript: Mayor Bill de Blasio Delivers Remarks at The Prospect Park Baseball Association's Opening Day Ceremony

April 2, 2016

Mayor Bill de Blasio: Thank you [inaudible]. Thank you everyone.

You are die-hards. You are true baseball players, true fans, true coaches. Doesn't matter what the weather – we love our sport. 

Now I want to say a couple very deep and profound things. First of all, into every life some rain must fall. Okay – so we can handle the rain. Also, April showers bring May flowers. Okay – so we're going to have flowers in May. We like flowers also, in addition to baseball.

So I had the honor of being a parent for a lot of teams and being a coach for a few years as well in the 7-8 Precinct. And I'm actually wearing Dante de Blasio's Bulldogs cap – the one he used at all those tournaments and all he went around with the Bulldogs. It was an amazing experience. 

So I want to say to all the kids first – you will look back later in life and realize what an extraordinary thing it was to play baseball on these wonderful fields and in these leagues. This is a great, great opportunity to find out all you can do on the baseball field, but it's going to teach you a lot about life as well. Just listen to – hey guys, give us a break because we're talking to the kids now. So kids, what I want you to do this season is listen to your coaches because they're here to teach you, and help you get better, and help you learn how to work together. 

I want to say to parents – support your kids because playing baseball is the most wonderful thing in the world. So be with them every step of the way. Whatever you're supposed to be doing during a game, don't do it – go to the game instead. 

[Laughter]

Because the game is the most important thing.

And to the coaches – coaches, I admire you. Sometimes it is not the easiest thing. I did not find that the eight-year-olds I coached always fully followed my instructions. 

[Laughter]

But that's okay. It's okay. It is a noble and good thing to be a coach. We thank you for doing it.

And I want to say to everyone from all of the leagues and from the Prospect Park Alliance – drainage really matters. 

[Laughter]

Because drainage means the field is playable and you can play more games. So anyone who puts down drainage, send them to me. 

[Laughter]

Have a wonderful season everyone. Play ball!

[Applause]