Most weekend days and nights, and many week nights, there is much going on, sports wise, at Barcroft Park in south Arlington.
On Sunday afternoon April 3, the venue was overflowing with various activities, thinking maybe it was like the Fourth of July.
A man wasn’t playing guitar or selling ice cream, and no one was heard singing Italian songs. The main event, which attracted hundreds and made parking a challenge, was Arlington Little League’s 2022 opening-day ceremony. Little Leaguers and their family members were all over, and a former Major League player was invited to give some good advice. After the ceremonies, Little League games were played.
Also happening that day were soccer games, a girls softball team was having a practice, the batting cages were busy with hitters, a couple of adult men were going at it on the one-wall handball court, and other adults had matches going on the tennis courts.
Also, a Little League baseball team was holding a practice.
Gymnastics activities were going on inside the park’s main building, and there was a moon bounce for the Little Leagues.
There were booth tables to sign up for teams or to purchase merchandise.
A secondary main event that afternoon was a college baseball game hosted by the George Washington University Colonials on Barcroft’s main baseball field, which is the home diamond for the team. The GW squad won big on Tucker Field, 15-2, over St. Bonaventure behind 21 hits, including a homer and five doubles, to improve to 15-13.
The college game ended about the same time as the Little League ceremonies. So then, there was traffic congestion leaving the park.
It was just another very busy spring Sunday afternoon in the park at Barcroft, again kind of making it seem like it was the Fourth of July.
– Dave Facinoli
dfacinoli@sungazette.net