Mayor Bill de Blasio joined members of the Prospect Park community Saturday to celebrate the official start of the Little League baseball season.

More than 1,000 Little Leaugers age 5 to 17 took part in a parade down Seventh Avenue to get their season going. Mayor de Blasio threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

The event was hosted by the Prospect Park Alliance and Prospect Park Baseball Association.

The day also included an unveiling at Seventh Avenue and Seventh Street of the new John Cortese Way, named after the late Prospect Park Baseball Association organizer. City Councilman Brad Lander said that Cortese was a staple in the community.