East Barstow Openning Day

Saturday was a perfect day to kick off the season for East Barstow, the weather was perfect. I was honored to be there and introduce the new EBLL President Denise Cordova. Deacon Margo Saenz led us with the invocation, followed by National Anthem and introduction of the board. Congratulations to Barstow City employee Terri Peralta, she was honored for the years of service as past president of the league. Also, kudos to the Ramirez family for giving back to the community by donating the pitching machine. Joe

Pitching machine, EBLL returns By DAVID HELDRETH Staff Writer March 19, 2007 - 7:08AM Staff photo by Aaron Aupperlee: Andrew and Ina Ramirez toss out the ceremonial first pitch at East Barstow Little League's opening day with a little help from the league's new pitching machine. The Ramirez family donated the machine in memory of Andrew Ramirez family steps up to the plate by donating a new pitching machine BARSTOW - With opening day approaching East Barstow Little League was nearly forced to rework their minor division this season. The league considered many options, including allowing either coaches or players to pitch, after their pitching machine was stolen and never returned in May. The minor division of Little League uses a pitching machine rather than pitchers due to the skill level of the children in the lower division. It would have cost the league more than $500 to replace the machine, and, the league did not have the funds to pay for one before opening day said EBLL President Denise Cordova. However, the Ramirez family saved the minor division by donating a machine to the league in memory of Andrew Ramirez with less than three months to opening day. The machine they purchased made it's debut during opening day Saturday. Andrew R. Ramirez, son of Andrew Ramirez, and his mother Ina Ramirez threw the first pitch of the season by dropping a ball into the machine while Andrew's son Jon sat waiting for the pitch behind home plate. "Grandpa would be really happy," said Nancy Ramirez, wife of Andrew R. Ramirez. "He was for the kids. He taught Jon how to play baseball. He broke many lamps playing with him in the house. It would have been his wish for us to do this." After the first pitch was thrown Cordova began the process of announcing this seasons teams. One by one all 20 head coaches came to the microphone calling their assistant coaches and players names. Of the 20 teams in EBLL the Phillies were unique. They are they only team that is made of players from both East Barstow and West Barstow. The Phillies will play EBLL teams throughout the season due to the number of teams in each league. EBLL and West Barstow Little League will play interleague games this year, a concept which has come and gone over the years. Cordova believes the two leagues should work together for the kids. "We had more kids than we could evenly make into teams and I had talked to West Barstow President Gary Vincent and they had extra kids so we decided to form a joint team," Cordova said. "There has been a lot of division in the leagues and we thought this could help bridge the gap." EBLL thanked Terri Peralta for her years of service to the league during the opening ceremony. Peralta has been involved in the league for almost 10 years and was league president for the last seven. She was given a plaque and called home plate to speak. "It's an honor to be recognized for my dedication and service to the league, but I want to also recognize all the board members and people behind me who did the hard work," Peralta said. "When you see the kids faces after they get their first hit it makes it all worth it."