A steady line of cars curved into Domtar Park a few Saturdays ago, the river fog lingering low as a spring rain threatened overhead. It was Opening Day for Kingsport Parks and Recreation—something that hadn’t happened since before COVID, according to Jason Wilburn. And by the looks of it, people were more than ready.

Renee Ensor, one of our Parks and Rec coordinator was out parking cars when I pulled in under the bridge. She had called me the day before and said, “I know it’s late notice, but tomorrow is Opening Day—I just thought you’d want to know.” She was right. Opening Day always feels like something worth showing up for—especially when the skies cooperate and the community turns out.

Despite a few sprinkles, the field buzzed with anticipation. Teams of t-ballers, little leaguers, and softball players gathered in coordinated uniforms—Cubs, Bears, Mets, and more—like a parade waiting for the music to begin. Umbrellas popped open, parents huddled under hoodies, but the kids didn’t care. They were there to play ball.

As I moved through the crowd, camera in hand, what struck me wasn’t just the games—it was the people. Looking back at hundreds of photos from that morning, I saw a snapshot of Kingsport itself. Diverse families filled the park. Young parents. Grandparents. Couples of all kinds, all standing together along the fences and dugouts, deeply invested in their kids and their community. It was everyday life—but in the best kind of way.

When the sun finally peeked through, I launched the drone to catch the traditional team walk-on. All the players circled the fields while a prayer was offered, the National Anthem played, and the season’s first pitch was thrown. The flag stood at half-mast in honor of the Pope’s passing. From above, you could see the rain-soaked mountains framing the park like quiet witnesses.

Down at home plate, Mayor Paul Montgomery greeted families with his familiar calm. I told him about the first time I met Pal Barger—how he handed me his business card in a field, dressed sharp as ever, with the words: “Pal Barger – Outstanding in His Field.” It felt right to ask the mayor for the same photo that morning—“a mayor outstanding in his field.” He laughed, but obliged. These moments matter more than people think.

But if there was one part of the morning that really stuck with me, it was the time spent near the Miracle Field. That’s where the ASPIRE players—part of Kingsport’s inclusive sports program—were suiting up in pink, ready to take the field. Some walked, some needed help. All of them smiled like pros. It might as well have been the big leagues.

Parents and volunteers stood close. Renee and Chassy from Parks and Rec made sure every player felt seen and supported. The joy was contagious. Watching one of the players hit the ball and make a run toward first base, I felt what I imagine a lot of people there did: pride, hope, and something deeper—a reminder of what makes community work. That field, those players, and the people around them showed what it means when a city takes care of everyone.

Domtar Park is more than a ball field. It’s a place layered with meaning. Long before it was home to baseball diamonds and opening ceremonies, this stretch of land along the Holston River—near the base of Bays Mountain—was a sacred gathering space. Treaties were signed here. Long Island of the Holston, just downstream, holds centuries of Native American history. It’s humbling to think that families may have once stood here, on this very land, tossing a ball, starting a fire, making peace.

And now, in a new generation, kids run the same ground with gloves and bats, while the people of Kingsport cheer from the sidelines.

Opening Day came back this year. And it came back strong.