Alhambra American
Little League
Baseball & Softball
First AALL Board Meeting for the 2010 Season
The first Board meeting of the 2010 AALL Season will be on Wednesday, September 23, 2009, at 6:30 p.m., at the Granada Park snack bar. All are welcome.
Junior Softball - 3rd Place Southern California Division Finish
Our Alhambra Softball Juniors had an incredible run in the Southern California Division 3 Tournament. With two wins over the weekend - credited to strong pitching, hitting and all-around defense - things were looking great for our team. On Monday, we faced the team that ended up taking it all, Grand Terrace Little League. The score remained 0 to 0 until the bottom of the 7th inning, when they punched in one run to end the game. That loss took us to the loser’s bracket and we returned on Tuesday evening for a re-match against the home team Quartz Hills, which we had previously beaten on Sunday. It was an exciting game with many ups and downs on both sides, but in the end QH came out on top 4 to 2.
All the parents, coaches, board and district officials (and even umpires from the surrounding Palmdale area) were cheering these girls on. They felt something special with these girls and were pushing them on through every game. We are all so proud of this accomplishment and the manner in which our team handled themselves on and off the field. Again, a special thanks to the coaches of these girl’s for sticking with them, giving up other priorities to be to these games, and for staying strong with the team – outstanding accomplishment!
In Above Photo:
Back Row: Coaches Matt Rasich, Gilbert Baltazar, Richard Garcia
Middle Row: Samantha Garcia, Charlotte Araiza, Brandie Holguin, Caitlin Adalin, Ashley Gentry, Reann Ramirez, Jazmin Perez, Tiffany Peko
Front Row: Kaitlyn Lange, Kryssann Baltazar, Donna Lara, Denise Gonzalez, Nicole Holguin
Missing from photo: Kristine Covarrubias.
Tawnya Lange
AALL Softball Player Agent
AALL Senior Boys Wrap-Up Season
Senior Baseball Boys Advanced to Section 3 Tournament!
Our Senior Baseball boys won the District 18 All-Star tournament on Thursday July 16 and brought home another banner for Alhambra American. What seemed like a strong challenge, after losing the first game to El Monte by six runs, appeared effortless by the third inning. After strong pitching from Vai Peko and a few tense innings against the defending champions from El Monte, our boys broke open the game to pull off a 10-1 win. The AALL Senior Baseball Team then advanced to the Section 3 Tournament.
Senior Baseball Boys Brought Home Another Banner!
The Senior Baseball All Stars won 6-5 on Monday July 20 against Baldwin Park and then beat them again 3-2 on Wednesday July 21 to take the Section 3 Tournament Championship. The stands were filled and fans were cheering when Jonathan Gonzalez knocked in the winning run with a double that scored Aaron Quintero from second to clinch the win. Vai Peko pitched an awesome game, and Christian Alas came in to close it down. Our games have been very exciting and it has been great to see so much support from many of our past and present Alhambra American families that attended the games. The AALL Senior Baseball Team then advanced to the Division 3 Tournament.
An Amazing Start to Senior Baseball Division 3 Playoffs
Alhambra American Senior Baseball boys pull off an exciting comeback to win against the Manhattan Beach All Stars in their first Division 3 game. Throughout most of the game, Manhattan Beach had a 7-4 lead against Alhambra. The seventh inning was Alhambra’s last chance to score. Devin Lara started the inning with a single. Joseph Gonzales followed up with another single and Jonathan “Batman” Martinez continued the rally with a walk, while the crowd thunderously cheered him on with the Batman anthem. Frankie Wright hit a sacrifice, which made the score 7-5. Ryan Piñon battled at the plate and finally drew a walk, which left bases loaded once again. Vai Peko got a single, scoring Joseph Gonzales. With the score to 7-6, Aaron Quintero grounded to second and Jonathan “Batman” Martinez was thrown out at home. Christian Alas came up to bat with bases loaded and two outs. The Manhattan Beach pitcher then uncorked a wild pitch allowing Ryan Piñon to score and tie the game! With the crowd intensely cheering, Christian Alas hits a double to right field to score Vai Peko with the winning run. Alhambra American won, in the last inning, 8 to 7 against Manhattan Beach.
Senior Baseball Boys Face First Loss in Oxnard
After what appeared to be an evenly matched team, our Senior Baseball boys lost 8-1 against Palmdale. After spending Saturday July 25 in Oxnard to celebrate their first win, it seemed fatigue took its toll with the long drive back to play again. Alhambra’s only run came when Johnathan Gonzalez was driven in by a hit from Adrian Garcia. Apparently, too many runners left on base and untimely errors were the ultimate downfall for AALL.
Senior Baseball Boys Place 3rd in Division Tournament
Unfortunately, after a long season our Senior Baseball Boys were defeated by Manhattan Beach in an 8-5 ball game. With a strong start of 1-0 in the first inning, it appeared a victory was still in reach. But by the third inning the score was 6-2 in Manhattan Beach’s favor. Still our Senior Baseball Boys refused to give up and posted 3 more runs, which wasn’t enough to bring home the win. What everyone was hoping would have been a second upset against Manhattan Beach was just too much for our Senior Baseball Boys. The final score was Manhattan Beach 8 and Alhambra American 5. Despite all the setbacks, our Senior Boys played extremely well and enjoyed every moment of the camaraderie among, not only fellow players, but also long time friends that were formed from years of Little League play at Alhambra American.
This was the first year that Alhambra American Little League fielded a Senior Baseball team. Boys who have played for AALL, for at least 10 years together at the same park, showed how they can play in sync with each other. They had fun together and played as one team. The boys did awesome!!
Senior Baseball Team: Christian Alas ♦ Adrian Garcia ♦ Joseph Gonzales ♦ Johnathan Gonzalez ♦ Devin Lara ♦ Jimmy Lara ♦ Jonathan Martinez ♦ Ryan Piñon ♦ Vailele Peko, Jr. ♦ Aaron Quintero ♦ Frankie Wright ♦ Darien Vilchez ♦ Jason Yrigollen
Manager: Jim Piñon
Coaches: Bryan Gibson ♦ John Gonzalez ♦ Norman Vilchez
Thanks for your support.
Juanita Wright
Junior/Senior Baseball Player Agent
Election Results - 2009-2010 AALL Board of Directors:
The first 17 people listed below have been elected to the 2009-2010 AALL Board of Directors. Pursuant to the AALL Constitution, they will assume their duties on September 1, 2009.
Lauren Cruz – 134
Vivian Mendoza – 130
Dan Perez – 117
Cecilia Wimberly – 117
Tom Takesh1ta – 114
Tawnya Lange – 111
John Hatem – 99
Chris Takesh1ta – 96
Jack Holguin – 95
Glenn Lugo – 90
Alda Duran – 89
Juanita Wright – 81
Debra Garcia – 75
Patty Deuymovitch – 72
Robert Lybarger – 70
Hank Canale – 66
Craig Gentry – 55
-------------------------------
Eric Lara – 50
Greg Quintero – 48
Julie Lara – 47
Jed Morales – 27
Ana Flores – 24
Edgar Velasquez – 22
***WRITE-IN VOTES***
Dave Duarte – 4
Carlos Garcia – 1
Lance Valdez – 1
Softball Champions:
Ø In the softball division, congratulations to the Junior Royals for taking 1st place in the regular season. The Royals will be joined by the Tigers in their TOC bid – good luck to both teams in this next phase of the season!
Tigers TOC Game 1 vs. South Pasadena 1, Monday, June 15th at 5:30pm at Almansor Park
Royals TOC Game 1 vs. El Monte National, Monday, June 15th at 8pm at Almansor Park
Ø The Major softball division had a close race for first place, so close the Major Astros and the Major Angels ended in a tie for first place – both teams will be heading to Tournament of Champions to represent Alhambra American, best of luck.
Astros TOC Game 1 vs. South El Monte, Monday, June 15th at 8pm at Almansor Park
Angels TOC Game 1 vs. Los Angeles, Tuesday, June 16 at 8pm at Almansor Park
Ø In the Minor division the Minor White Sox had an incredibly strong season taking 1st place with the Red’s joining them at TOC as well. Congratulations to both teams on their season.
Reds TOC Game 1 vs. South Pasadena 1, Wednesday, June 17th at 5:30pm at Almansor Park
White Sox Game 1 vs. Temple City American, Thursday, June 18th at 5:30pm at Almansor Park
Ø Our Tiny division season also had a close race all season and we have co-champions for the Tiny Cardinals and the Tiny Blue Jays! And, while the Tiny’s do not participate in TOC we are proud of their success this season!
Baseball Champions:
Congratulations to the Junior Baseball Nationals for winning the regular season and to the Junior Baseball Braves for winning the AALL Junior Baseball Tournament. The Nationals and Braves will both be going to the District 18 Tournament of Champions. We are very proud of all of our Junior Baseball teams!
Congratulations to the Major Baseball Braves for winning the regular season and for winning the AALL Granada Park Major Baseball Tournament. The Braves and Mets (tournament finalists) will both be going to the District 18 Tournament of Champions. We are very proud of all of our Major Baseball teams!
Congratulations to the Minor Baseball Brewers for winning the AALL Granada Park Minor Baseball Tournament. The Brewers will join the Minor Baseball Angels (who won the regular season) in the District 18 Tournament of Champions. We are very proud of all of our Minor Baseball teams!
Congratulations to the Tiny Baseball Rangers for winning the regular season and for winning the AALL Granada Park Tiny Baseball Tournament. We are very proud of all of our Tiny Baseball teams!
Poem: "Little League" - By Paul Hostovsky
When the ump produces
his little hand broom
and stops all play to stoop
and dust off home plate,
my daughter sitting beside me
looks up and gives me a smile that says
this is by far her favorite part of baseball.
And then when he skillfully
spits without getting any
on the catcher or the batter or himself,
she looks up again and smiles
even bigger.
But when someone hits a long foul ball
and everyone's eyes are on it
as it sails out of play ...
the ump has dipped his hand
into his bottomless black pocket
and conjured up a shiny new white one
like a brand new coin
from behind the catcher's ear,
which he then gives to the catcher
who seems to contain his surprise
though behind his mask his eyes are surely
as wide with wonder as hers.
Posted with explicit permission of the poet.
Important News:
Ø Access the Tournament of Champions Team Eligibility Affidavit and Medical Release forms, the AALL Constitution and the April 14, 2009 Approved Board Meeting Minutes at left under "Handouts & Forms."
Ø The Buddy System - It is always safer when children do things with a BUDDY! A buddy can be mom, dad, a friend, a sibling, etc. Children should use the buddy system when using a public restroom. Parents may escort their children to the restroom. The parent can easily stand outside the door if the child is the opposite sex from the parent. If you are standing outside you may even want to carry on a conversation with the child through the door (or crack the door just a bit).
Ø See new game schedules and game scores below.
Ø All scheduled games are listed on this website.
Ø Check the Schedules, Calendar and Standings links at left.
Ø Please pick up all trash after all practices and games. Thank you!
Ø See the "AALL 2009 Safety Program" at left under "Handouts & Forms." All potential hazards to people and property should be reported to Safety Officer Jack Holguin, within 48 hours. In the event of an accident/incident the team manager must submit a completed Accident Report to Safety Officer Jack Holguin within 48 hours.
For more information email:
AlhambraAmerican@yahoo.com
Or call (626) 576-8914
Alhambra American Little League
This Week's Game Schedule:
Ø Visitor teams listed first. Home teams listed second.
Ø For maps and directions to other parks, click on park name under "Location."
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