By Liz Steen

Families gathered today at the Riverview Playfield Peewee field to raise an American flag donated by the city.

“We haven't had a flag up for the last 2 years. And, you know, we could have just gone and bought one ourselves, but Rob (Saka) is a big supporter of the community,” West Seattle Baseball Board Member Ed Smith said.

“We asked him if the city might have something to provide.” The new flag waved in a bright sky as families watched the games. Smith said, “This is a city park. This is a unique relationship that West Seattle Baseball gets to play here at city parks, and so this is, I think, a great example of the city, and a nonprofit youth sports organization getting together.”

Council member Rob Saka shared a little about what the flag meant to him as a former service member for people gathered in a brief pause between games for teams that included Rambo and The Sasquatch Collective.

Smith said standing under the flag as the next game started, “It’s a small act, but it represents the community.”