Opening day in Lake Zurich:

Lake Zurich Baseball and Softball Association hosts its opening day festivities and celebration from noon to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 4, at Staples Park, 510 Red Bridge Road, Lake Zurich. Highlights of the afternoon include a free hot dog, chips and drink for players in uniform. Kookers, the association's concessionaire for the season, is donating the ballpark treats. Players can compete in the annual pitch hit and run contest. Winners have a chance to compete regionally and then at Wrigley Field. This season's opening day celebration is held in honor of Tom Kowalski, who died last June at the age of 52, after a tough 5½-year battle against multiple myeloma. Kowalski was active in the league and a plaque will be dedicated in his honor at 12:30 p.m. Sunday.