In parks across Reporter Newspapers communities, spring arrives with the ping of a ball on a metal bat.

In March, baseball and softball teams head to their carefully manicured ballfields in Sandy Springs, Buckhead, Brookhaven and Dunwoody.

Players celebrated the return of their summer game with parades, renditions of the national anthem and, of course, ceremonial first pitches.

Photographer Phil Mosier gave us this look at Opening Day in our communities.

Gracie Bomar, a member of the girls’ rookie softball league Tigers, shows off her moves during opening ceremonies for Sandy Springs Youth Sports at Morgan Falls Overlook Park on March 9.
Gracie Bomar, a member of the girls’ rookie softball league Tigers, shows off her moves during opening ceremonies for Sandy Springs Youth Sports at Morgan Falls Overlook Park on March 9.
mascots from area schools join players as the national anthem is sung on the Northside Youth Organization’s Opening Day ceremony at Chastain Park in Buckhead on March 16.
mascots from area schools join players as the national anthem is sung on the Northside Youth Organization’s Opening Day ceremony at Chastain Park in Buckhead on March 16.
Brooks Bowling runs the bases during an opening day game March 16 for the Athletics of the Buckhead Baseball league at Frankie Allen Park in Buckhead.
Brooks Bowling runs the bases during an opening day game March 16 for the Athletics of the Buckhead Baseball league at Frankie Allen Park in Buckhead.
Rachel Axelson stands with her balloon during the opening ceremonies of Murphey Candler Girls Softball on March 9.
Rachel Axelson stands with her balloon during the opening ceremonies of Murphey Candler Girls Softball on March 9.
Jackson Fobas waits his turn at bat during a Dunwoody Senior Baseball game at Dunwoody Park on March 9.
Jackson Fobas waits his turn at bat during a Dunwoody Senior Baseball game at Dunwoody Park on March 9.
Kinsey Farmer sings the national anthem on March 9, opening day for Sandy Springs Youth Sports at Morgan Falls Park in Sandy Springs.
Kinsey Farmer sings the national anthem on March 9, opening day for Sandy Springs Youth Sports at Morgan Falls Park in Sandy Springs.
Volunteers Kathleen Jackson, left, and Brenda Kidwell, survey the action at Murphey Candler Park in Brookhaven during the start of Murphey Candler Baseball’s season.
Volunteers Kathleen Jackson, left, and Brenda Kidwell, survey the action at Murphey Candler Park in Brookhaven during the start of Murphey Candler Baseball’s season.
Before hitting the field for Buckhead Baseball’s Opening Day festivities to mark the start the season at Frankie Allen Park, Brooks Bowling (from left), Hugh Carter, Billy Gingrey, Bryce Bowling and Luke Gingrey enjoyed another beloved pastime of the modern generation — video games. The Athletics are coached by Brian Bowling in the T-ball 5-year-old league.
Before hitting the field for Buckhead Baseball’s Opening Day festivities to mark the start the season at Frankie Allen Park, Brooks Bowling (from left), Hugh Carter, Billy Gingrey, Bryce Bowling and Luke Gingrey enjoyed another beloved pastime of the modern generation — video games. The Athletics are coached by Brian Bowling in the T-ball 5-year-old league.
B.J. Kelly gives his daughter Lyla, 2, a bird’s eye view as they watch Lands Kelly, 4, being introduced during opening day ceremonies of spring baseball at Murphey Candler Park on March 8 in Brookhaven.
B.J. Kelly gives his daughter Lyla, 2, a bird’s eye view as they watch Lands Kelly, 4, being introduced during opening day ceremonies of spring baseball at Murphey Candler Park on March 8 in Brookhaven.
From left, Max Marion, Hudson Fletcher and Jake Oliver, members of the Dunwoody Middle School baseball league, congratulate each other after beating Greater Atlanta Christian School, 10-6 on March 9 in Dunwoody.
From left, Max Marion, Hudson Fletcher and Jake Oliver, members of the Dunwoody Middle School baseball league, congratulate each other after beating Greater Atlanta Christian School, 10-6 on March 9 in Dunwoody.
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Joe Earle

Joe Earle is Editor-at-Large. He has more than 30-years of experience with daily newspapers, including the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and was Managing Editor of Reporter Newspapers.