Opening day for Bethel Park Baseball was cause for excitement beyond youngsters having the opportunity to pitch, hit, field and run.

Festivities on the morning of April 11 at Simmons Park included welcoming a premium addition: three new electronic scoreboards, one for each of the park’s fields.

“This was about a four-year project for us,” Evan Sivetz, Bethel Park Baseball president, said after making pregame announcements acknowledging those who made the scoreboards possible.

Along with fundraising by members of the recreational organization and their families, a major portion of the financing came from the Bethel Park Community Foundation.

“They’re a huge part of the Bethel Park community, a huge part of Bethel Park youth sports, and that was something we wanted to give back to,” said Britney Hollick, president of the foundation, which focuses on supporting community facilities, education, recreational activities, the arts, and health and safety.

Pirates Charities, the philanthropic arm of Pittsburgh’s Major League Baseball franchise, provided further funding.

“They’re great,” Sivetz said. “They’re always looking to work with the community, and there are always things to do to improve the parks and fields.”

Representing the team at Bethel Park’s opening day was Bacon Burt, one of the mascots taking part in each home Pirates game’s Great Pierogi Race. Burt spent the morning greeting youngsters, having his picture taken with him and showing off his foot speed.

For another special attraction, makeup artist Jasmine Cable – professionally, she’s Makeup with Jasmine – provided face painting, much of it baseball-themed.

Along with new scoreboards, Sivetz announced Bethel Park Baseball’s acquisition of three automatic external defibrillators, to be used for emergency treatment of cardiac arrest. He thanked West Penn Hospital chief operating officer Doug Johnston for helping to secure the devices.

Concession stands at Simmons, Millennium and UPMC parks, three of the sites for Bethel Park Baseball games, serve as the storage locations for the AEDs in case they’re needed.

The baseball program is for players ages 4 to 18 in eight age divisions, from Tee Ball to American Legion. For more information, visit bethelparkbaseball.org.

Further details about the Bethel Park Community Foundation can be found at bpcf.org.