While many around the country associate the beginning of spring with the start of the Major League Baseball season, the Troy community has a different event to ring in the change of the seasons.

Today, one of the most anticipated events of the year in Troy will take place, as the Park and Recreations baseball and softball seasons will get underway at the Troy Sportsplex.

“The beginnings of the recreation leagues for both boys and girls is just an annual tradition in Troy,” said Troy Parks and Recreation Director Dan Smith Friday afternoon.

“There are many, many people in Troy that remember what an important and fun day it is.”

In all, there are about 850 boys and girls signed up and ready to play on the different diamonds around the Sportsplex.

And even though it is an experience each of those kids will enjoy and remember for a lifetime, Smith said it is that the parents will enjoy as well.

“While we are proud of having good athletics, we also understand the importance of this being a social event for not only the children, but the parents as well,” Smith said.

“If their kids have come through the program, everybody can look back, and see the friendships they have made with other families through their children playing ball, no matter what sport it is. It truly is a great sign of spring when its time for baseball and softball season to begin.”

There are eight different teams this year, five baseball and three softball, with each of the seasons going on until the first week of June.

Over the next three months, each of the children will be playing the games they love – which makes all the difference, according to Smith.

“A lot of children love baseball and softball more than anything in the world,” he said, “and we want that to be a positive experience for all of them.

“At the same time, there are a lot of children (at the games) with their friends. It is a great social experience.”

Along with the social gains the games can provide, Smith also alluded to the financial gains the come from baseball and softball seasons, whether it be at sporting good stores or different restaurants around town.

Either way you look at it, when the kids hit the ball fields, it’s a good time in Troy.

“Troy is a community that has a lot to be proud of,” Smith said.

“It is a good size community that is not too big and not too small. Everyone knows each other. The family unit is a very important part of this community. It’s a little bit like TroyFest every day when we play ball. There is a lot of color and pageantry to each one of the games. It’s the sounds of the crowd and ball hitting the ball that really all make this time of the year one of the best.”