Spring brings youth baseball to the Basin
The Little League Huskies wait for the Youth Day Parade to begin in front of the Aquatic Center on Saturday.
MOSES LAKE — For the last 49 years, toward the end of April, the city of Moses Lake shifts gears and gets ready for the youth baseball parade which marks the beginning of spring and baseball season.
The Little League and Cal Ripken youth baseball leagues provide a haven for young athletes who are looking for something to put their time toward.
From the ages of seven to 12 young baseball players participate in either league. Little league has a rich tradition of outstanding baseball players from across the country and is famous for its Little League World Series every year, which is broadcast on ESPN and ESPN2.
Cal Ripken is the reincarnation of the former Bambino League and for the last ten years the league has been developing a strong foothold in Moses Lake. Cal Ripken League President Ray Lopez began his work with the league eight years ago when he became the coach of his son's team. The following year Lopez decided he wanted to become more involved with the league and became a board member. His first position on the board was a player agent, who organizes the league draft, runs tryouts and makes sure every kid who is signed up gets on a team. A few years later Lopez became the vice president and is now the president of the league.
"It keeps the kids busy and active in a sport," said Lopez of the league's positive influence on the kids. "Like they say, it's America's past time and we can pass it on to a younger generation."
Little League Public Relations Officer Dan Bishop has been sponsoring and/or coaching a team in the league for eight years. He got started coaching his son in Little League and is now the sponsor/manager of the Lions, a team in the major league division of the Little League.
"I think it's important for kids to be involved in sports," said Bishop. "It's the first step towards developing a work ethic. Also, it teaches sportsmanship." Bishop expressed his concern for the growing desire to win in youth sports. "People care too much about winning at first… It's the maturing part to sportsmanship."
He summed up his view on youth sports by saying, "The game is a success if both teams walk off the field with smiles on their faces."
This year on April 29 the youth baseball parade once again kicked off the new spring season with a team parade that trekked across the downtown area and ended at Larson Playfield complex. The players had a lot to say as the excitement built up before the opening ceremonies and the day's games.
Twelve-year-old Paxton Lanning of the Little League Cougars said his favorite thing about baseball is "pitching, because it's fun and there's a lot of action."
Eleven-year-old Cameron Law of the Little League Broncs said his favorite thing about baseball is "batting, because you get to get on base and score runs."
Eleven-year-old Elliot Sage of the Cal Ripken Braves had a little different take on the question saying that his favorite thing about baseball is "sunflower seeds, because they taste good."
Twelve-year-old Miquiah Zamora of the Cal Ripken Mets really had a grasp on what it is to play youth baseball. "I love playing baseball because it gives me a chance to hang out with my friends," he said.
After the parade had found its way to the Larson Complex, the annual opening ceremonies began. This year Vic Fuller was honored as the grand marshall of the ceremonies. Fuller is a veteran softball coach and has been coaching baseball and softball since he was in the Air Force in 1950. He first became involved in the Columbia Basin Softball Association in 1992 when he coached his granddaughter's team.
Fuller said that one thing he loves about coaching is "The young kids' enthusiasm to do well and to see them progress in their skills." He spoke of the joy he gets seeing the players he has coached progress and move up into higher age groups and still continue to play. "It's an honor to see just one of these kids play high school softball or baseball."
Fuller said that there are five players on the Moses Lake High School varsity team this year that he has coached at one time during their careers. "I've been lucky to do what I enjoy doing," said Fuller of all the time he has devoted to youth sports.
After the opening ceremonies the games finally began. Teams in both leagues were active on Saturday, playing games on every field at the Larson complex and even spreading out to take over other fields across Moses Lake. After Saturday, the leagues will get into high gear with their full schedules being played until mid-summer.
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