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Saturday
March 20, 2010 Since 1922 |
Little League season starts Saturday
From sports staff reports
Baytown Sun Published March 26, 2006 Baytown Little League officially opened the 2006 season Saturday, as all four leagues held their opening ceremonies.
East Little League
Baytown East Little League used its opening ceremonies to name one of the fields at its facility after Ruth Strickland.
Strickland, who is currently the league’s commissioner, has been involved with the league for 30 years. She was a team mom for five years, an assistant coach four times, a manager for 26 seasons and served as a board member 16 times. Strickland has two children, Ricky and Tony, who played in the East League, and eight grandchildren, six of whom are still playing.
For her day job, Strickland teaches special education at Lee High School.
“There are no words to explain this honor,” Strickland said. “You kept it a good secret and I appreciate it.
“I do it for the kids.”
— Doyle Barlow
West Little League
With the release of the ball from Gilbert Sandoval’s hand, the West Little League’s season got under way Saturday morning. Sandoval also gave the benediction, where he extolled his love of the game.
The West introduced the teams that will be participating this season but the numbers were down from last year. Although the league does not have the numbers that the other three Baytown leagues have, they have been able to compete on the field. During the opening ceremony, the Minor I City Champion Blue Jays and the Major City Champion Pirates were recognized.
“Although our numbers are down we still find a way to win City Championships,” league president Gilbert Hinojosa said. “We have less volunteers every year and we need more help from the parents to keep the league going. The volunteer effort is worth it. A kid’s smile is the biggest thank you that you can get.”
In this, the West League’s 54th year of play, there are 163 kids playing through the Majors, a drop off of 40 from a year ago.
Following the invocation by Sandoval, Tammy Beeson gave a sterling performance of the national anthem. Kade Rull read the Little League Pledge and was followed by Christina Buchanan who read the Parents Creed.
Award winners were announced for both the Banner Contest as well as the leading fundraisers. Taking first in the banner contest for t-ball were the Reds with the Giants coming in second. The Blue Jays took first in Minor II as the Red Sox took second. The Athletics placed first in Minor I followed by the Yankees and in the Major division it was the Pirates placing first with the Mets coming in second.
Jordan Flores led the league in fundraising with Eddie Zarazua coming in second and Matthew Yzquierdo placing third.
— Michael Pineda
North Little League
It was a happy but bittersweet day for a large crowd at the North League as they renamed one of their fields for the late Steven Pierce.
Pierce, who had been an active member in the North League, serving in several different capacities, was killed last July in an automobile accident.
Pierce had been a coach, a board member for seven years, the league commissioner last season, and the league secretary the year before.
After introductions of all the new players to the North League and of all the players who are beginning their final year, Pierce’s sons, Kyle and Jake, threw out the first pitches to get play under way.
— Doyle Barlow
Central Little League
At Central Little League, hundreds of players were on hand for opening day. Lee High School senior and former Central Little Leaguer Logan Havel played the “Star Spangled Banner.”
Lee High School baseball coach James Hillin presented the players on his team, many of whom played little league baseball in Central, and told kids that they should work hard. He also reminded them that the most important thing for them to do was to have fun and learn the fundamentals.
Baseball teaches more than just athleticism, Hillin said. He said it was about learning good sportsmanship when you win and lose as well as being a good teammate.
Mike Guzman, president of Central, honored long time Central supporter Carole Opryshek, who passed away March 16 after a long battle with cancer. Opryshek was known for helping people all over town, and she was very involved with Central and their “Challenger” program for special needs kids.
Guzman said the opening ceremony is the least exciting thing for him during the season — he likes to get the kids on the field playing baseball.
“I am ready to get this ceremony done and get the season started,” Guzman said.
— Ryan Culver
Baytown Sun Published March 26, 2006 Baytown Little League officially opened the 2006 season Saturday, as all four leagues held their opening ceremonies.
East Little League
Baytown East Little League used its opening ceremonies to name one of the fields at its facility after Ruth Strickland.
Strickland, who is currently the league’s commissioner, has been involved with the league for 30 years. She was a team mom for five years, an assistant coach four times, a manager for 26 seasons and served as a board member 16 times. Strickland has two children, Ricky and Tony, who played in the East League, and eight grandchildren, six of whom are still playing.
For her day job, Strickland teaches special education at Lee High School.
“There are no words to explain this honor,” Strickland said. “You kept it a good secret and I appreciate it.
“I do it for the kids.”
— Doyle Barlow
West Little League
With the release of the ball from Gilbert Sandoval’s hand, the West Little League’s season got under way Saturday morning. Sandoval also gave the benediction, where he extolled his love of the game.
The West introduced the teams that will be participating this season but the numbers were down from last year. Although the league does not have the numbers that the other three Baytown leagues have, they have been able to compete on the field. During the opening ceremony, the Minor I City Champion Blue Jays and the Major City Champion Pirates were recognized.
“Although our numbers are down we still find a way to win City Championships,” league president Gilbert Hinojosa said. “We have less volunteers every year and we need more help from the parents to keep the league going. The volunteer effort is worth it. A kid’s smile is the biggest thank you that you can get.”
In this, the West League’s 54th year of play, there are 163 kids playing through the Majors, a drop off of 40 from a year ago.
Following the invocation by Sandoval, Tammy Beeson gave a sterling performance of the national anthem. Kade Rull read the Little League Pledge and was followed by Christina Buchanan who read the Parents Creed.
Award winners were announced for both the Banner Contest as well as the leading fundraisers. Taking first in the banner contest for t-ball were the Reds with the Giants coming in second. The Blue Jays took first in Minor II as the Red Sox took second. The Athletics placed first in Minor I followed by the Yankees and in the Major division it was the Pirates placing first with the Mets coming in second.
Jordan Flores led the league in fundraising with Eddie Zarazua coming in second and Matthew Yzquierdo placing third.
— Michael Pineda
North Little League
It was a happy but bittersweet day for a large crowd at the North League as they renamed one of their fields for the late Steven Pierce.
Pierce, who had been an active member in the North League, serving in several different capacities, was killed last July in an automobile accident.
Pierce had been a coach, a board member for seven years, the league commissioner last season, and the league secretary the year before.
After introductions of all the new players to the North League and of all the players who are beginning their final year, Pierce’s sons, Kyle and Jake, threw out the first pitches to get play under way.
— Doyle Barlow
Central Little League
At Central Little League, hundreds of players were on hand for opening day. Lee High School senior and former Central Little Leaguer Logan Havel played the “Star Spangled Banner.”
Lee High School baseball coach James Hillin presented the players on his team, many of whom played little league baseball in Central, and told kids that they should work hard. He also reminded them that the most important thing for them to do was to have fun and learn the fundamentals.
Baseball teaches more than just athleticism, Hillin said. He said it was about learning good sportsmanship when you win and lose as well as being a good teammate.
Mike Guzman, president of Central, honored long time Central supporter Carole Opryshek, who passed away March 16 after a long battle with cancer. Opryshek was known for helping people all over town, and she was very involved with Central and their “Challenger” program for special needs kids.
Guzman said the opening ceremony is the least exciting thing for him during the season — he likes to get the kids on the field playing baseball.
“I am ready to get this ceremony done and get the season started,” Guzman said.
— Ryan Culver