PHOTOS: Mexico, OC and Arizona represented in 33rd annual Irvine Pony opening ceremony

The Irvine Pony 9-and-under team Mustang Division team coached by Andy Dennis, Ty Kincade and Vic Liu. (PHOTOS: Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone).

Stands were packed Thursday evening as hundreds of youth baseball players took part in opening ceremonies for the 33rd annual Irvine Pony Memorial Day Tournament at Harvard Park.

Games begin Friday and continue through Monday at fields in Irvine, Tustin and Costa Mesa.

The tournament field grew so much that organizers looked for fields in other cities. This year, there are a record 344 teams, including 20 from Mexico, according to Tournament Director Stacie Sloniger. There were 286 teams last year.

To see the slide show, click on the first photo:

Hundreds of teams lined up for opening ceremonies at Harvard Park.

One of the Tustin teams gets ready to head onto the field.

Young players get ready for the parade of teams.

Irvine Pony President and MC JD Hardin welcomes players during the parade of teams.

Players head to the field during the parade of teams.

One of the teams from Mexico poses for a picture.

Players get ready for the introductions.

Players and coaches from one of the Santa Ana teams.

Some of the players from the Irvine Pony 13-and-under team coached by Dave Castle.

There will be 728 games over the three days, including the Great Park.

” …. We got so big this year, so we had to go outside of Irvine to accommodate,” Sloniger said. “We’re looking at hopefully securing all of the fields at the Great Park next year so we can bring it on back into Irvine.

“We’re grateful and thankful that Costa Mesa and the City of Tustin allowed us use of the fields. We also have Irvine High School, Portola High School, Springbrook Elementary School that we also got from Irvine Unified School District.”

Fans attended the opening ceremony cheering for their teams.

“We’re really excited to have Arizona this year,” Sloniger said. “Last year we had a Utah team, but this is the first year that Arizona has been in the tournament.”

Irvine Mayor Larry Agran welcomed fans and players to the tournament and presented Hardin and Sloniger certificates for their years volunteering with the league.

All the teams from Mexico were also welcomed by league officials.

All the parking lots at Harvard Park were full and those attending parked their cars in a surrounding neighborhoods. Concession stand sales appeared to be brisk.

Schedule information is available by going to the Irvine Pony website.

—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com