PHOTO GALLERY: Miss Manatee Softball Opening Day

Valeria Pankey got the call on the mound for the 8U Falkner Farms team.

Six-year-old catcher Kiera Caffrey is playing softball for the first time this spring.

Five-year-old Leah James looks to make contact in her first at bat.

Jillian Herbst races down the first base line after hitting a single.

Riley Young makes contact during Unicoat’s game versus Strike Zone.

Kennedy Blair is congratulated following her single.

Imagine School at Lakewood Ranch first-grader Caitlin Delaney couldn’t wait to take the field.

Eight-year-old Rosa Sotelo looks to make contact.

Ten-year-old Serenity Vega will be one of the pitchers for her team this spring.

Nine-year-old Abby Panik made sure to keep her eyes on the ball.

Seven-year-old Isabelle Pettis is on this year’s Observer team.