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South Pasadena Little League, a longtime fixture in the community, showed its fun side last Friday night as hundreds of players joined parents, grandparents and friends in a festive evening highlighted by a ceremony honoring championship teams, food and activities and a trio of games – two on the baseball end, one on softball.
Little League, with its roots dating back to 1952 in the city, had one goal in mind as it unveiled the 2019 season and that was to ensure everyone had a good time. The way they were smiling, perhaps having the best night of their young lives, were members of the 9-10 year-old minor softball team, which was presented their trophies after coming away with the a state softball title. Three other SPLL teams were honored, including Junior Softball, and Junior and Senior Baseball, after winning District 18 championships.
Baseball and softball players, along with their parents, family members and friends were all invited to be a part of the big night at Clarich Field in Arroyo Park.
The goal, stressed SPLL president SPLL President Alberto Ocon, was to create a positive experience on the field for baseball and softball players of all ages.
“We want our players to have a good time,” said Ocon in the days leading up to Opening Night. “That’s important, and over the years we’ve been able to do that.”
Along with the ceremony, an abundance of food, including hot dogs, corn-on-the-cob and lemonade, kids had an opportunity to climb all over a giant inflatable, before a major league baseball game at Nelson Field and at major league softball game at Burke Field officially kicked off the season. Thirty minutes later, a junior division baseball game began at Clarich Field.
And with it, the 2019 Little League Baseball and Softball season in South Pasadena was officially underway.
For more information about Little League, visit Twitter @playSPLL, Instagram @SPlittleleague and Facebook @playSPLL
