Future in motion

Mike Sciacca

When the 52nd season of Laguna Beach Little League began nearly a

month ago, it took a look into the future by drawing on tradition.

There’s definitely a new look to the league, which is making an

all-out effort to redefine its image while providing the best

possible playing environment to what matters most: its players.

There’s a new attitude, too.

“We’ve made a lot of strides in these past few months,” said Mike

Maxsenti, president of the league. “We’ve made a lot of changes but

still, we are relying on tradition when it comes to our reputation.”

Speaking of tradition, Laguna Beach has the distinction of being

the oldest Little League in Orange County, and third-oldest in the

state.

Rotary, a Majors Division team, holds several of the top spots in

the league records book: most city championships (14), most wins in a

season (twice, 21-0 in 1976 and 1981), and most seasons with a

franchise sponsor, which began in the league’s initial season in

1952.

VFW Post has been a franchise sponsor for the past 51 years.

Ironically, 52 years later, Rotary sits atop the current Majors

Division standings with a 5-0 record.

Hobie won last year’s Majors championship, with VFW battling to

the finish.

“This year, I expect the FireFighters, American Legion,

Sportsworld and Rotary to battle each other for championship, with

VFW and Hobie having very solid teams,” Rotary manager Cary Hyden

said.

“It’s a very balanced league, though, where any team can beat

another team on any given night. It’s going to be a great season.”

The season began with an Opening Day ceremony that featured a

traditional, All-American pancake breakfast.

“We served more than 550 breakfasts,” said Maxsenti, who has been

on the league’s board of directors the past two years and has managed

a team in every one of the league’s four divisions -- Majors, AAA, AA

and T-Ball -- over a six-year period.

Opening Day festivities also included a parade of all teams on

Riddle Field, the inclusion of “league old-timers, like coaches,

players and historians,” Maxsenti said, VFW presenting of the colors

of America and instruction on how to honor the flag, guest speakers,

the Laguna Beach High marching band, a T-Ball exhibition and a game

between the two longest-sponsored league teams, VFW and Rotary.

“We wanted to introduce the history of the league and reignite the

tradition of baseball here in Laguna Beach,” Maxsenti said. “We

believe in the history of this league but, we are making some

changes, too.”

Maxsenti said that, already, $30,000 in improvements have been

made to Riddle Field, with more to come.

Among the improvements are new batting cages, improved fencing,

investment in new safety equipment and other equipment, and lighting

in dugouts.

Maxsenti and league manager Bill Burk have been working with

Laguna Beach High baseball Coach Tom Faris since last July, all in an

effort, Maxsenti said, “to work toward improving the atmosphere and

results in town.”

“Our game plan consisted of a few things, among them, to improve

the quality of play and to do that, we must improve the quality of

instruction,” Maxsenti said. “We know we have a lot of good athletes

here and parents who are very supportive. We want to instill a “can

do” attitude in these kids.

“Also, we want to bring back kids to the game, who might have left

the sport for one reason, or another. We’re excited, because we have

more kids in Little League and Junior League, than ever before. We

have about 450 kids in this league.”

Another change came in the form of adding a third team to the

Junior Division, and more athletes participated in fall ball than

“ever before,” Maxsenti said.

A select 14-and-under and 13-and-under spring club teams also were

formed.

Player and coaching clinics, as well as a hitting coach, also were

implemented.

Managers in the Majors and AAA divisions were required to attend a

coaching clinic and, for the first time, Maxsenti said, all coaches

in all divisions were required to attend a full day of training.

“We’re building a program, and it’s working,” Maxsenti said. “We

got some kids back who had left the sport, and all of the kids are

working very hard to make the season, and future seasons in Laguna

Beach Little League, a success. It’s truly a community effort from a

lot of people, and it’s already paying off.”