“A Day of Fun for Everyone II” was held Saturday, May 3, at Redbud Ballpark in Clearlake. The Southshore Little League event invited children and their parents to an afternoon of family activities including the league”s annual bat-a-thon contest.
Children from Pee Wees to Major division filtered through the event, enjoying various games and activities. Among the most popular attractions was the favorite dunk tank where ballplayers had a chance to sink their coaches and other members of the community. Another favorite activity was sponsored by Middletown Towing, in which youngsters had a chance to take a swing at an old junked car.
“This is great,” said league president Lee Lambert. “Everyone is having a great time and we”re glad to see so many children and their parents participating in this year”s event.”
A Day of Fun for Everyone II was supported by local businesses and non-profit organizations that offered various activities and merchandise. Lil” Acorns Preschool offered a booth where children engaged in making music makers and decorative sand bottles. “It”s all free,” said Lil” Acorns teacher Gina Sanders. “I just can”t stand to see the disappointment on the kids” faces when they don”t have enough tickets, so we”re not charging any tickets at all.”
Lake County Screen Printing was on hand selling T-shirts with various baseball/softball-related material printed on them. One shirt said “I steal bases, not candy,” which this reporter thought was quite appropriate since the league”s snack shop has been hit by thieves twice this season.
Throughout the day, ball-players took their turns at bat in the annual bat-a-thon contest. Little sluggers put all their might into hitting the ball as far as they could. When the results were tallied up, it was Major Division ballplayer VJ Lopez who rocked the ball the farthest at 335 feet. Will Stiles grabbed the title in the Juniors Division with a 318 foot hit. Other first place winners include the following: T-ball ? Heather Felder (120 feet) and Mike Contreras (196 feet); Lower Minors ? Skyler Gregory (169 feet) and Michael Taliafero (194 feet); Minors ? Mark Courier (252 feet); Softball ? Melanie Graf (197 feet), Kayla Merrill (196 feet) and Jo”nessa Beasley (241 feet).
Most money raised by an individual was Sam Lambert who raised $480. Charles Santos raised $410 and M. Jones raised $401. The most money raised by a team was $1135 by Express. Rattlers raised $971 and the Bandits raised $820.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com.
