Little League/Softball dedicates Opening Day first pitch in memory of Saugus woman who died of cancer; first time softball and baseball march together in parade route

By Tara Vocino

The Saugus Little League honored the late Janeen Miranda – the wife of a coach and the mother of one of the players – during Saturday’s Opening Day ceremonies outside of the Elks Lodge along Main Street. It’s also the first time that softball and baseball marched together in a parade route from the former Oaklandvale School to the mound. Diamonds Diva Head Coach Joe Miranda’s wife, Janeen, passed away on Jan. 23 after a long, courageous battle with colorectal cancer. Her family members threw out the first pitch and caught the ball.

Joe Miranda said sports have been a huge part of his children’s life ever since they were little. “My wife liked nothing more than seeing our kids excel at their respective sports,” Joe said. “During her battle, I would text her daily, ‘You write the script, and keep swinging for the fences.’”

Joe said Janeen is smiling down from Heaven, and that she displayed a tremendous amount of strength during her ordeal, showing that life carries on.

“I can’t even put it into words what it means to throw out the first pitch,” Joe said. “I really didn’t know what ‘It takes a village’ meant until I was a part of this community.”

He wanted to thank both organizations from the bottom of his heart, adding that it’s humbling to be recognized from this community, giving him validation.

His son, Jojo, 13, who is a seventh-grader at Saugus Middle/High School, said it was an honor to catch the pitch from his father and sister. “It meant a lot, because I’ve never done anything like this,” Jojo said. “I also felt special that the board presented last year’s all-star jersey to me in a frame.”

His sister, Ellie, 12, who is a sixth-grader at Saugus Middle/High School, said she just found out Saturday that she’d be throwing the first pitch. She was excited and scared to hear the news. “It’s special because not a lot of people lose their parents so young,” Ellie said. “It’s tough, but it keeps her memory alive.”

For the first time, 25 baseball and 11 softball teams came together to walk from the former Oaklandvale School to the mound at Elks Field.

“I think that it’s a great thing they combined the Opening Day ceremonies,” Joe said. “It brings the community closer, and there’s strength in numbers.”

Also up at the bat, Veterans Memorial Elementary School kindergartener Leo Alvarez, 6, in his first time playing, said he is excited to learn about baseball. “My best friend Mark is going to be on the team with me,” Leo said.

His father, Anthony Alvarez, said he is excited to have his son play baseball. “It’s going to be a great experience for us,” Anthony said.

Peas in a Pod pre-kindergartener Thomas Roan, 5, will play T-ball for the first time. “I’m excited to play with my friend Edwin,” Thomas said.

His father, Brandon Roan, said he himself played Saugus Little League in seventh and eighth grade. “It taught me hand-and-eye coordination,” Brandon said. “It also taught me about wanting to win, and the coaches were always helpful.”

Saugus Little League Vice President Craig Smith said they’re very proud to build a second new field in as many years as well as new batting cages and bleachers – through great sponsorship and hundreds of volunteer hours they’ve been able to grow the field from the bottom up. “We’ve added new banners, sound systems, upgraded scoreboards, and we’re proud of the fact that the boys have safe playing conditions throughout the season,” Smith said. “We hope to combine the traditions every year.”

Saugus Softball Little League Vice President Stephanie Strout said they’re excited to join Little League baseball and they look forward to combining for a new tradition, hopefully, every year.

“We were honored to have the Miranda family throw out our first pitch of the season in honor of Janeen,” Strout said. “As a close parent and member of the softball community to Ellie, watching her grow as not only a player but mature … into a wonderful person – we know her mom would be very proud.”

During the ceremony, Little League life-time volunteer Rick Kasabuski said he was overwhelmed that he received an Honorary Board Member plaque. He thanked the executive board members. “I’m very grateful,” Kasabuski said. “Little League has always been part of our family tradition.”

His father, Joseph, received a similar award in 1971 for his dedication and time. He said it was fun to see everything go full circle 54 years later. “It was fun to be accepted into the family,” Kasabuski said. “There’s no other sport in the town that has an Opening Day parade – you know your kid will be safe there.”

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