Inaugral Donald I. Gurney Sr. Field Day celebrating athletes a success

Veteran family members throw out the first pitch at the beginning of the varsity game, Operation Hat Trick, during the inaugural Donald I Gurney Sr Field Day - A Celebration of Springfield Athletics.

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2016-05-18 / Springfield Inaugral Donald I. Gurney Sr. Field Day celebrating athletes a success Veteran family members throw out the first pitch at the beginning of the varsity game, Operation Hat Trick, during the inaugural Donald I Gurney Sr Field Day - A Celebration of Springfield Athletics. — COURTESY Veteran family members throw out the first pitch at the beginning of the varsity game, Operation Hat Trick, during the inaugural Donald I Gurney Sr Field Day - A Celebration of Springfield Athletics. — COURTESY Saturday, May 14 couldn't have been a more picture perfect day. The sun was shining, the skies were clear and the temperature was perfect for the inaugural day of the Donald I Gurney Sr Field Day - A Celebration of Springfield Athletics. More than 300 Springfield athletes ranging from grades K-12 turned out to be part of a town wide parade and a day of games. The event was a collaborative effort by the Springfield Booster Club, Springfield Parks & Recreation and Springfield School District. Enlarge Map The day started at 10 a.m. with student athletes and coaches riding through town on trucks waving to the towns people. Upon arriving at Riverside Middle School the parade led by the Boys Scouts and Boy Scouts Color Guard with Christopher Gurney carrying the America Flag entered Robinson Field for an Opening Ceremony. The athletes lined the outfield as Travis Parker and The Imperfectionists played live at home plate. Bob Flint addressed the athletes, audience and of course thanked the Gurney family for all of Don's and their contributions to Springfield and athletics over the years. Matilda Caldwell, SHS senior sang the National Anthem and with precision timing members of the Soaring Club at the Hartness Airport, New England Soaring Association performed a flyover. Three planes emerged out of the sky to salute Gurney and his family. The crowd erupted into cheers, screams of delight and continous clapping as well as signs of emotion streaming down their cheeks. Mackenzie Campbell from Baltimore flew a maroon and white high-wing Cessna. Alasdair Crawford from Perkinsville was flying Walter Striediek's Pawnee, the white low-wing airplane that the soaring club uses as a tow plane. Mark Jacob, a doctor at Rutland Hospital flew the big, shiny, noisy twin engine Beech 18. Mark took a second pass over the opening ceremony and tipped his wing as he flew off. Don Jr. and Brad Gurney threw/caught the first pitch of the day as Bob Flint yelled "Play ball!" The games started at Noon with 16 games played on five fields. The park was filled with smiling faces, happy families and delighted children. Highlights of the day included a cake cutting ceremony where Arlene Gurney cut the first piece of cake and a young athlete enjoyed the spoils. The Varsity boys team played a double-headers against Bellows Falls and Green Mountain High School claiming victory with both games. The initial varsity game was known as Operation Hat Trick, a benefit game for wounded veterans. Four members of the team stood in a line behind home plate as their veteran family members threw out the first pitch in unison. Games continued throughout the day. One coach of a first/second grade team said, "Nobody is on the bench today, everyone plays together." The playground was filled with children, parents enjoyed food served at two concession stands and children had Cosmos logo and sport symbols painted on their faces. The event came to a close after a game on Robinson under the lights. Those in attendance along with the Gurney family held a candlelight ceremony where Micheal Gurney spoke on behalf of his family. The group joined together to sing a song as a gentle breeze picked up and light rain drops began to fall. It was the perfect ending to a perfect day. Springfield Athletics and Don Gurney Sr were celebrated together with joy, laughter and of course the hard work of many volunteers and the athletes.