Play Ball! The Milwaukee Brewers home opener features local baseball legend

On Monday, April 4, 2016 the Milwaukee Brewers Baseball team held their official 2016 Opening Day festivities, along with the first tailgate of the season and a game against the San Francisco Giants. The team hosted a raffle to support local nonprofit organizations, and got to show-off their 2016 roster that included 15 new team members this season. The highlight of the game was the opening pitch which was thrown by Milwaukee’s own James Beckum. Beckum is a former semi-pro baseball player who barnstormed in the days of the Negro Leagues and helped form the Beckum-Stapleton Little League. Founded in 1964, the Beckum-Stapleton Little League has provided more than 10,000 children the chance to play organized baseball. It is the longest existing African American Little League in the United States. Pictured at the game (from left) are James Beckum and Brewers closing pitcher Jeremy Jeffress. On a down note the Brewers lost to the Giants 12 – 3.