In baseball, wrote Scott Sanders, “Home plate is where you begin your journey and also your destination. You venture out onto the bases, to first and second and third, always striving to return to the spot from which you began.”

And so begins the Little League today. It’s a cycle of life tradition, played out on grass and dirt, between fences of different heights and types, along base paths of differing degrees of straightness, and in weather that will range from blanket-gripping sleet to balmy days when sunscreen and sno-cones are purchased in competing measures.

Today begins Little League competition, though practices for everyone from T-ball on up started a few weeks ago.

Opening Day events unfold starting at 10 a.m. today in Hood River, Parkdale and Odell. Games start in the afternoon at all three locations. Even if you do not have kids involved, youth baseball is an entertaining way to pass the time, and the players appreciate seeing faces in the stands.

There’s an important fundraiser for Hood River Little League today, in addition to the first games of the season. It starts with the pageantry of introducing the teams as they line up on the infield at Jim Winter Field in the athletic complex next to St. Mary’s Church. For the first time, Little League is holding a silent auction to support the program.

Then it’s “Play Ball,” perhaps the only thing umpires say that everyone can agree with. In Little League, even umpires work for free, so be nice to them. Few know the emotional toll of calling your own son or daughter out on strikes.

While we’re on the subject, thanks go out in advance to all coaches, league officers, umpires, scorekeepers and others who get involved in this youth athletic program.

Batter up, and everyone have fun on your journeys this season.