DON McDERMOTT / PVT At Pahrump Little League Opening Day ceremonies Saturday at Honeysuckle Park, throwing out the first pitch in softball was Aubrey Cobel. DON McDERMOTT / PVT Steve Venegas threw out the first pitch for baseball. More than 1,000 fans, players and coaches attended the ceremonies which launched the 2008 campaign. Advertisement

A new era in youth sports began Saturday when the Pahrump Little League launched its fast-pitch softball program at Honeysuckle Park.

The softball program will operate under Williamsport, Pa.-Little League rules, which means that if there are enough teams state-wide, Pahrump teams will be eligible for post-season tournaments at district, state, regional and national levels.

More 100 girls are involved in softball, boosting the total number of Little League-affiliated players to at least 500.

Softball officers in this inaugural season are Charlotte Uyeno, vice president; Gerry McCutcheon, umpire-in-chief; Charla Cobel, equipment manager; Shawn Brewer, player agent; Sarah Acosta, player agent; Rachel Walker, player agent; and Joe Roderick, coaching coordinator.

There are seven softball team this spring -- four in the majors (9-10-11-12) and three in the juniors (13-14-15).

On Opening Day, the Thunder defeated the Riptide 31-4 and Double Bubble outscored the Wildcats 18-11 in Major Division games; in the Junior Division, the Rough Riders downed the Sun Devils 16-10.

The PLL officers are Shelly Highland, president and treasurer; Shanda Roderick, secretary; Charlotte Uyeno, information; Rosalee Clausen, safety coordinator; Lance Dube, umpire-in-chief and John Walker, coaching coordinator.

Other officers are Thom Walker, vice-president, baseball; Brent Alstedt, assistant umpire-in-chief, baseball and player agent; Lou Galdi, equipment manager, baseball; Thom Walker, player agent and Larry Morales, assistant coaching coordinator.

There are eight teams in T-Ball; 10 in machine pitch; six in the Minor Division; five in the Major Division and two in the Junior Division.

In Minor Division games Saturday, the Mets edged the Thunder 4-3, the Storm downed the Muckdogs 15-3 and the Sidewinders stopped the Red Wings 12-10.

In the Major Division, the Yankees edged the D'backs 1-0, while the A's stopped the Angels 7-4.

In the Junior Division, it was the Yankees 11, Cardinals 1. Today at 6 p.m., the Cardinals face the Yankees again.

Saturday, the Yankees will play Las Vegas Red Rock at 10 a.m., while at 1 p.m., the Cardinals will face Red Rock at Honeysuckle Park.