As hundreds of Little League players lined the fence at Penn Field in Oak Bluffs to celebrate opening day on Saturday, one small athlete stood alone in the grass. He lingered there, a lollipop stick protruding from his mouth, while children darted through puddles to take their places among their teams. The lone player hesitated, scanning the fence where kids stood in groups forming a rainbow of colorful new-season uniforms. Eventually, in the distance, he saw a group of kids wearing bright blue jerseys like his and with a sudden burst of enthusiasm sprinted across the field to join them.

In that moment, a new season of Island Little League began.

Of course, there were many other more formal ceremonies to mark the beginning of the 40th Vineyard Little League season, including a parade down Circuit avenue in Oak Bluffs, team introductions, the national anthem, and a first pitch.

Circuit avenue was packed with ballplayers and their families. — Maria Thibodeau

A 9 a.m., a group of parents, grandparents and younger siblings in strollers awaited the teams on either side of Circuit avenue, bundled up in coats and blankets. One mom prepared to take pictures on her iPad.

Jeanne Ferrucci of Oak Bluffs said she was there to see her grandson, Logan Caramanna, age four.

“He’s just starting tee ball,” Ms. Ferrucci said, and he’d been practicing in the backyard. “It gets the kids excited about the season,” she said of the opening day parade, which minutes later rounded the corner, heralded by the high decibel blare of the two fire engines leading the way. Multiple players rode in on the shoulders of a parent. Shop owners stepped out on stoops to wave.

The parade continued to Viera Field, where everyone hopped into carpools and car seats for a procession to Penn Field for the opening day ceremonies.

Sometimes it takes a group of mitts to make the catch. — Maria Thibodeau

Nolan Murphy, 11, of Edgartown, is a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates this year. He was surrounded by his grandparents, his mom and his little brother. He said he had taken some time off from baseball but was back this year and ready to rock.

“I’m just excited for the game today,” he said.

Hannah Buckley, 7, of Oak Bluffs smacked her gum as she tossed the ball with her teammate to warm up. She said she had recently moved up from tee ball.

“Coaches pitch to you. You don’t hit off the tee,” she explained. “I’m playing against the Marlins. They’re a really good team.”

Veteran shortstop, catcher and pitcher Grady McCracken, 12, joined the Cubs in the dugout. Reflecting on his Little League career, he said the sport has become more intense. “Going into majors, from triple A to majors, there’s more farther hitting, more action,” he said.

He said this would be his last season in the league before he moves on to Babe Ruth.

And as he narrowly stole home in the first minutes of the game against the Red Sox, it was clear he planned to make this last year count.

More photos.