Costa Mesa Little League teams kick off 2015 season

Baseball’s back, and more than 500 young athletes took to diamonds in Costa Mesa on Saturday as the city’s two Little Leagues started the 2015 season with opening ceremonies and games.

In the Costa Mesa American Little League, teams paraded in uniform at Costa Mesa High School. Players in the Costa Mesa National Little League did the same at TeWinkle Middle School.

Costa Mesa American started in 1996 as an offshoot of Costa Mesa National, which was established in 1986. The leagues have partnered this season on an Intermediate Division team of 13-year-olds, according to Costa Mesa American President Todd Cowley.

In Irvine, Northwood Little League and Irvine Ranch Little League canceled their opening ceremonies in anticipation of rain.

Opening day in the Newport Beach Little League will start at 9 a.m. March 7 at Bonita Canyon Sports Park.

— Rob Vardon