<\/a>Parker Katasse, 12, gets ready to catch the ceremonial first pitch of the Gastineau Channel Little League baseball season Saturday at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. Katasse is the great grandson of Richard Adair, one of two police officers killed in the line of duty for whom the park is named. Although Katasse primarily plays short stop, he had no trouble handling the pitch. (Ben Hohenstatt \/ Juneau Empire)<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
The fears were unfounded and Parker Katasse handled a fastball with no signs of nerves.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
The softball season was ceremonially started by simultaneous pitches from Mandy Massey and Gloria Bixby. The mother-daughter duo have a direct line to the inception of GCLL softball in addition to athletic accolades of their own.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
Massey’s father, David, was integral to the formation of the program in 1986, which helped lay a foundation that allowed Massey to be part of the first softball team at what was then called Juneau-Douglas High School. Bixby, a lifelong GCLL participant, is a senior at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé where she is a member of the currently undefeated softball team. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
Bixby said an early morning wake-up and some practice throws were part of preparation for the season-starting pitches.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
<\/a>Ben Hohenstatt \/ Juneau Empire\n Mandy Massey smiles at her daughter, Gloria Bixby, before the two threw simultaneous ceremonial first pitches Saturday at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. Massey and Bixby have a direct line to the inception of Gastineau Channel Little League softball as Massey’s father, David, was integral in the formation of the program.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Massey called the first-pitch experience “unforgettable” and praised GCLL’s development over the years.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
“It’s neat to see the program advance over the years,” Massey said, adding the caliber of players in the league is impressive.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t