CLEARLAKE ? Southshore Little League (SSLL) is ready to take on the 2009 season. Opening Day ceremonies were held on Saturday at Redbud Ballpark in Clearlake. The ceremony was led by SSLL President Jim Peters, who introduced the board members, teams, coaches, sponsors and volunteers.
The honor of tossing out the first pitch of the season was bestowed upon past SSLL President Lee Lambert, who had directed the league for two years. The pitch was caught by Lambert”s daughter, Sam. Katelyn Haas, who was joined by Agathe Martel and Lori Peters, delivered a beautifully amazing rendition of the National Anthem to celebrate opening day.
“Although there are millions of youth programs across America and all around the world, there is only one South Shore Little League,” Peters said. “Look around you, it takes the presence, time and commitment from all of you: the players, the parents, the coaches, the managers, the sponsors and the volunteers to make this little league the best it has been. The best it can be!”
Peters introduced 33 teams along with their coaches and sponsors. Team players and coaches, parents and volunteers recited their respective pledges to the league to initiate the season. Players pledged to trust in God, love their country and respect its laws, play fair and strive to win. “But win or lose,” they said, “I will always do my best.”
Adults pledged to teach children to play fair and do their best, provide positive support for all managers, coaches and players and respect the decisions of the umpires. “I will praise a good effort despite the outcome of the game,” they said to conclude the pledge.
The following teams, coaches and sponsors were welcomed to this year”s league: Sidewinders, Coach Josh Rollin, sponsor Clearlake Lava; Bats, Coach Nick Lambert, sponsor Ck Doud Construction; Muck Dogs, Coach Tamary Bordessa, sponsor Bordessa Construction; River Dogs, Coach John Osterkamp, sponsor American Legion; Iron Birds, Coach Mike Brown, sponsor Mendo Mill; Sand Gnats, Coach Robyn Young, sponsor Paradise Pizza; Blue Claws, Coach Joe Hughes, sponsor Lake County Volunteer Firefighters Association; Storm, Coach Steve Felder; sponsor Conrad Gardening; Express, Coach Dave Milano, sponsor Lakeshore Lions; River Cats, Coach Matt Tutor, sponsor Cecil”s Take & Bake Pizza; Scrappers, Coach Jeff Eeds, sponsor Lakeshore Lions; Mud Cats, Coach Ryan Murphy, sponsor Chernoh Excavating; Lug Nuts, Coach Sunny Forney, sponsor Vietnam Veterans Chapter No. 951; Bulls, Coach Donald Stone, sponsor Innovated Marketing Trading Company; Red Sox, Coach David McGrath, sponsor Chernoh Excavating; Phillies, Coach Kevin Wylie, sponsor A&B Auto Collision; Rays, Coach Damien Wickard, sponsor Clearlake Dental; Pirates, Coach Bobby Sanders, sponsor Piazza Trucking; Mets, Coach Matt Young, sponsor Case Excavating; Giants, Coach Mario Palido, sponsor P&L Body Shop; Orioles, Coach Bonnie Ramsey, sponsor Foods, Etc.; A”s, Coach Dave Shemwell, sponsor Four Corners; Reds, Coach Billie Samson, sponsor Dr. Novak Family Practice; Dodgers, Coach James Jones, sponsor Paradise Pizza; Yankees, Coach Jim Peters, sponsor Cactus Grill; Rangers, Coach Gary Cooper, sponsor X-Site Motorsports; Bandits, Coach Phil Harris, sponsor Pace Supply Corp.; Heat, Coach Chris Taliaferro, sponsor Shore Line Realty; Force, Coach Sarah Felder, sponsor Jonas Heating & Air MPI; Riptide, Coach Jeremy Mock, sponsor Ray”s Food Place; and Thunder, Coach Shari Patterson, sponsor Elegant Touch.
Additional league sponsors include Aramark, Auto Tech 2000, Baughn & Cameron, Cabo”s Mexican Restaurant, Castle Donuts, Clearlake Highlands Alarm, Clearlake Machine Shop, Devil Woman Flags, Dr. Waddington Animal Hospital, Enterprise Towing, Eye Associates, Freedom Heating & Air, Griffin”s Furniture, Highlands Nursery, Konocti Dance Academy, Lake County Voiture (sic) 912 ? 40 & 8 Club; Lake Pharmacy, Moran”s Pharmacy, One Stop Automotive, Performance Mechanical, P&M Tile, PSI World, Salmina”s Floor to Ceiling, Sanders Construction, Wal-Mart and Weed Tech.
“Without the sponsors we could not afford to do the things we do,” Peters said. “So I would like to thank your 2009 sponsors for their generous donations. Please stop, shop and say thank you.”
The 2009 SSLL Board of Directors includes President Jim Peters, Vice President Troy Isaacs, Secretary/Treasurer Cindy Eagle, Safety Officer Bonnie Ramsey, Umpire Chief/Equipment Manager Derek Ramsey, Coach Coordinator Curtis Parker, Softball Player Agent (PA) Shauna Garcia, T-Ball PA Barbara Watson, Lower Minor PA Carrie McGrath, Minor PA Deanna Mock, Major PA Thomas DeWalt and Junior PA Steve Felder.
SSLL relies heavily on its fundraising efforts to support the activities of the season.
“Fundraising is a big part of funding this organization. This year”s raffle is going to include an ATV from Innovative Marketing Trading Company,” Peters said. “Tickets can be purchased at the Snack Bar for $5 each or five tickets for $20. If you win this ATV it can be traded in for a full-sized ATV for $500 more. The drawing will be held at closing ceremonies on June 13th. You do not need to be present to win.”
SSLL will hold its Day of Fun again this season. “A Day of Fun includes our Bat-A-Thon and picture day, held Saturday May 2 here at Redbud Park,” Peters said. “The public is welcome and encouraged to join us. It is a family event of carnival and family fun!”
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
