Dinger delights the crowd at Niwot Youth Sports opening day

Stuffies large and small came out for NYS opening day ceremonies along with hundreds of baseball players and their families. Even the sloth (lower left) couldn't help but crack a smile.

Members of the Hagen family, including, back row, from left, Chelsey Hagen Kinney, Nancy Hagen, Andrew Hagen and Dina Bernardelli, with their children, from left, Avery, Jack and Shep, enjoy opening day at Hangge Fields at Monarch Park in Niwot. Not pictured are Logan Kinney and son Jacob, who also attended. They are one of several families who have made significant contributions to Niwot Youth Sports over the past 50 years. Hagen Field at the Biff Warren Baseball Complex is named in honor of Nancy Hagen's late husband, Greg Hagen.

Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free Grange Band played the national anthem and other baseball tunes, including Take Me Out to the Ballgame, Hey Baby, Sweet Caroline and Rocky Mountain Way, for the players and their families.

A sports-themed bouncy castle entertained kids in a field between the two T-Ball fields at Hangge Fields at Monarch Park. Niwot High Head Coach Ken Rosales, JV Head Coach Wade Connor, and several players from Niwot High School were on hand to assist as part of a team service project.

NYS kids took a run around the bases with Colorado Rockies mascot, Dinger.

Members of the Canar family, Kaiya Canar (left), Jonathan Canar, Jaimie Kirk and Debi Canar Sammons, celebrate in front of the field that bears their name. They are one of many donors and volunteers who support NYS. Canar Field was named in memory of Jim Canar, who coached baseball prior to his death.

NYS kids swarm Dinger for "high fours" after a successful run around the bases. (The triceratops has four "fingers.")

Big smiles were on the faces of the Dageenakis family who have been longtime supporters of Niwot Youth Sports. Pictured (l to r) are Tony Dageenakis, Elaine Dageenakis, Craig Dageenakis and Jeff Dageenakis. The father of the three boys, Elaine's late husband John "Tony" Dageenakis, was one of the original incorporators of the organization now known as Niwot Youth Sports back in 1972. The field behind them is named in their honor.

Even Dinger whiffs. The ball got past the Colorado Rockies mascot as he struggled to get a hit. Having giant furry hands can't help.