MOSES LAKE - Moses Lake youth baseball and softball players officially kicked off their 2014 season over the weekend.

About 600 players from the Moses Lake Youth Baseball Association and the Columbia Basin Girls Softball Association participated in opening day festivities Saturday- which included a parade through downtown Moses Lake, a special ceremony at Larson Playfield and games at various fields around town.

The parade is an annual tradition, spanning back 57 years. Teams made their way along the parade route in decorated trucks, waving to the crowd and chanting team cheers. The Brewers and the HER-icanes were both named parade winners this year, winning a pizza party from Domino's Pizza.

After the parade, the teams headed to Larson Playfield where they were formally presented to the community.

The Moses Lake Parks and Recreation Department also honored Jody Haddican as Grand Marshal during the ceremony.

Haddican was recognized for his decade of commitment to youth baseball in Moses Lake. He first got involved in youth baseball when his son joined the league about 10 years ago.

Over the years, Haddican has served in many capacities. He was a Cal Ripken Little League Coach from 2004 to 2009 and the league's equipment manager from 2008 to 2009; a Babe Ruth coach in 2010 and Babe Ruth vice-president in 2011 and president in 2012.

He was also heavily involved in the 2013 Babe Ruth 14U world series.

Event emcee Bill Ecret said Haddican has demonstrated a lot of passion and commitment to youth baseball through his volunteer work over the years.

"He started off as a little league coach and next thing you know, 10 years later still busier than ever," he said.