It was all about the youth baseball players having fun while competing on a bright and sunny Saturday, May 6. Newtown Babe Ruth Baseball kicked off its spring season with a variety of competitions at its Fan Fest, held at Glander Field Complex.

There was a home run derby, base running speed competition, and pitching challenge, as well as fielding drills. Coaches and players from the Newtown High School baseball program and youth baseball coaches ran drills for the participating players.

Competition winners are as follows:

Running Challenge: Daniel Otis (5/6U), Brayden Andrews (7/8), Devin Santacroce (9/10), and Noah Blair (11/12).

Pitching Challenge: Maverick Levy (7/8), Santacroce (9/10) and Maksim Dul (11/12).

Home Run Derby: Santacroce; Aiden Berich runner-up (9/10) and Michael Murphy; Zach Michlovic runner-up (11/12).

Prior to the on-field events, there was a field rededication fitting for the events and enjoyment of the day. Matt Glander, whose father Bob Glander coached in town for many years — and for whom the complex of fields was named due to his passion for coaching and caring for ball players — spoke to the young sluggers and throwers, as well as their coaches, about how much the game of baseball meant to his dad.

“His coaching philosophy was based on sportsmanship. Win or lose, go out there and have fun, put your best effort forth, be respectful, and save room for ice cream after the game,” Matt Glander said during a brief speech.

Newtown Babe Ruth President Chris Reuther talked about Bob Glander, what he meant to the youth baseball players in town, and how the memorial is being spruced up in two phases, this year and next. The memorial includes a plaque in front of a flag pole in a flower bed as well as a bench honoring Bob Glander, who coached not only baseball but also soccer, softball, football, and hockey until he passed away in 1997.

Josh Hull, who started as an assistant with Bob Glander in 1997, and went on to coach baseball in town for the next 20-plus years, offered a few words: “Bob is responsible for igniting my passion for coaching. It’s all about the kids — it’s not about the coach.”

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.