Twenty-five years ago, yet-to-be developed Willoughby was made up mostly of farmland, downtown 91原创 had parallel parking only, and a new kid emerged on the baseball block.

Back in 1991, fledgling North 91原创 Baseball, headed by its original president George Zarrelli, offered ball north of Highway One for the first time.

On Saturday at the George Zarrelli Majors Diamond, the association marked a quarter century of baseball during its opening ceremonies.

The association was founded a quarter century ago by Zarrelli and Ian McLean.

Since then, North 91原创 Baseball has hosted the 12-year-old provincials in 2000, 10-year-old provincials in 2010 and won the 10-year-old provincials in 1998.

Zarrelli and McLean were among the guests at Saturday鈥檚 ceremony.

When he took the mic, Zarrelli applauded the efforts of Kelly Parker, who has served as North 91原创 Baseball president for the past 11 years.

鈥淜elly鈥� has gone through some difficult times and difficult decisions, and he鈥檚 made them, and baseball in North 91原创 has never been stronger,鈥� Zarrelli said.

鈥淚 congratulate you, Kelly, and your executive for weathering the storm.鈥�

For his part, Parker said one thing that hasn鈥檛 changed over the years is 鈥淣orth 91原创鈥檚 spirit.鈥�

He also thanked North 91原创 Baseball鈥檚 executive members and volunteers, past and present.

鈥淵our dedication to this league has meant a lot to me,鈥� Parker said.

The ceremony also unveiled the new moniker of North 91原创 Baseball teams 鈥� the Trappers, an homage to the fur trade in Fort 91原创 in the early-to-mid-19th century.

As well, recognition was given to the most successful team in North 91原创 Baseball history, its junior all star squad which in 2002 won the Canadian championship and represented the country at the Junior League Baseball World Series in Taylor, Michigan.

Invited guests included manager Lloyd Watt and a few members of that 2002 Canadian championship team, Township Mayor Jack Froese (who threw out the ceremonial first pitch), Township staff, and the founding members of executive of North 91原创 Baseball: Zarrelli, McLean, Bill O鈥橫alley, past president Janice O鈥橫alley, Chuck Abney, and Cathy Abney.

McLean is now the national coordinator for Challenger Baseball Canada and spoke about how much Challenger Baseball means to him, coaches, volunteers, and especially the players with cognitive and physical challenges.