‘The Biggest Loser’ to speak at Opening Day at EPR

By Jeremy Wise

Published: March 25, 2008

About 700 kids will hit the field Friday night to open the softball and baseball seasons at Enterprise Parks and Recreation Department, and they will be greeted by a big loser.

Enterprise resident Roger Schultz, a contestant on NBC’s “The Biggest Loser: Couples,” will speak at the event. 

Schultz is a coach on the T-Ball Dodgers, the team his son Ivan plays for, at EPR.

According to Billy Powell, EPR Director, other people that will speak at the event include he and Enterprise Mayor Kenneth Boswell.

The opening ceremonies, though, belong to the children as each player from each team in the following leagues will be announced: T-Ball, Coach Pitch, Dixie Pre-Minor, Dixie Minor, Dixie Youth O-Zone, Dixie Darlings, Dixie Angels and Dixie Ponytails.

As they are called out, the kids will run through a tunnel, Powell said.

In all, about 700 children will have their named called out, Powell said.

Leagues not being announced because of a later starting date are Dixie Boys and Dixie Belles.

A ceremonial first pitch will be thrown out for baseball and softball.

The numbers out for what Powell calls the biggest sports at EPR are about the same.

“Overall, the numbers are the same. Baseball is down, but softball is up. We have around 900 kids participating,” he said.

The ceremony is a prelude to a busy Saturday at the fields near the M.N. “Jug” Brown Recreation Center and at the Enterprise Sports Complex as teams compete in first-day action.

Saturday is also double token day at the batting cages located behind the E.A. “Moose” Hope Gymnasium, which is located on Brunson Street.

The Opening Day ceremony and following games kick off another important and busy year at EPR.

This year, the department will host the Dixie Youth O-Zone state tournament, which begins July 11.

Powell encourages anyone who wants to provide help, including sponsorships, for the state tournament to call the department at 348-2681.

Meanwhile, Powell said the department is ready to get the season started.

“The fields are in excellent shape. We’re pretty much ready to play,” Powell said.

The ceremony will be on Rec Center Field 6, located on Brunson Street. It will start at 6 p.m.