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Tuesday, December 11
CNLL Salutes Patterson and Thornton Partnership!
As we celebrate our 45th Anniversary in 2010, Centerville National Little League extends an big thank you to Patterson Elementary School and Thornton Junior High School for their continued support and partnerships.
The history of CNLL is tightly entwined with both schools. In a May, 1965 article in the “(Fremont) News Register” - the precursor to “The Argus” - Fremont Mayor Don Dillon spoke to the players and families of CNLL at the Opening Day ceremonies at their home field at Thornton Jr. High School. It didn’t take long for this rapidly growing league to need more playing fields. So by 1967 CNLL had moved to Patterson, as league volunteers had built two new 60’ fields. The smaller field was used for the Farm program (7 and 8 year olds), the larger field was used for the Major and Minor programs (both for 9 through 12 year olds).
The need for a 90’ diamond soon came up and Patterson lacked the space, but CNLL found the room for a 90’ diamond as well as an additional 60’ field at Alviso School in north Fremont. Located on north Fremont Boulevard, on the eastern side, next to the Fruit Stand by Beard Road and built in 1940, Alviso School was one of Fremont’s oldest. It was also surrounded by farms and undeveloped land, it wasn’t uncommon to see a cow standing along the fenceline of the 90’ field watching a baseball game! The fields at Alviso became the focal point of CNLL as the 90’ diamond hosted the Senior program (13 to 15 year olds) and the Super Seniors - later renamed the Big League program (15 to 18 year olds). The 60’ field played host to the Major program. Meanwhile, Patterson continued to host the Minor and Farm programs. CNLL continued to use this two venue set-up until 1978 when the School District closed Alviso and sold the land for development.
So once again CNLL was on the look out for space for at least a 90’ diamond. It didn’t take long for a location to be selected - the official return of Centerville National to Thornton Jr. High School was complete! A new 90’ field was built, once again by CNLL volunteers. This field hosted the newly formed Junior program (13 to 14 year olds), the Senior Program (now 15 to 16 year olds) and the Big League program. At Patterson, a third field was built, this one for the Tee-ball program (5 -7 year olds), while the smaller 60’ diamond continued to host the Farm program (7 to 8 Year olds) and Minor (9 to 11 year olds) program, the larger 60’ diamond is now the Major Field (9 to 12 year olds). Today this the current set-up for our League. With the support, cooperation and partnership of Patterson and Thornton, CNLL has been able to provide a safe and fun family environment for 45 years. Thank you Patterson and Thornton!
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