Donations help CMNLL
COSTA MESA — A large amount of donations spread out all over the Costa Mesa National Little League and a dedication to a longtime volunteer was granted Saturday at TeWinkle Middle School.
Otherwise, it was just another walk on the newly named Gary March Field.
Donations totaling $8,150 were given to the Costa Mesa National Little League for various improvements and additions.
It was among the most dollars granted in recent years to the volunteer league.
Costa Mesa United, a group comprised of local businessmen and businesswomen, gave half the renovation cost, which came out to a total of $6,900. The Majors Division electronic scoreboard, complete with yellow-colored letters and numbers, were part of the cost. Two sets of bleachers on the Minor B Division field, fences on the Farm Division field, 50 tons of clay on both Farm division fields and a new fence for the T-ball field was also part of the cost.
“We let everyone know about our appreciation we have of them,” Costa Mesa National Little League President Roger Turk said. “We had gorgeous weather.”
Gary March, a volunteer in various phases of the Costa Mesa Little League since 1980, is an instructional aide for computer classes at Victoria Elementary School. On Saturday, he shouted the lineup for both teams between the Majors Division Crimson Tide and the LSU Tigers, who won the pre-ceremony game, 8-3.
“It’s a very big honor,” March said. “It was totally unexpected. I do it for the kids.”
Additionally, the Costa Mesa Community Foundation gave CMNLL an oversized check of $1,250 for umpire equipment. If an umpire wants to buy his own new mask, the money could be used to reimburse that person.
“We’ll have better equipment if people own it and take care of it,” said Andy Campbell, umpire chief.
Jennifer Christ, a member of the Costa Mesa Community Foundation, supported the need for the funds.
“Andy submitted a grant online,” Christ said. “We had a grant committee that looks at it and the board has the final vote. It’s hot out there. We need umpires to be able to move and work.”
Matt Palma, head coach of the Tigers, is in his fifth year as the head coach and eighth overall. The Tigers are among seven teams who play each other three times each, between CMNLL, Fountain Valley and Costa Mesa American Little League. The leagues later break into its own playoffs, the Tournament of Champions, then into All-Star teams.
“We hope to have a good match versus Ocean View and other leagues,” Palma said . “Hopefully we can give them a run for their money. [Saturday] was just another great beginning to a great season. The kids are amped up, they’ve been practicing three times per week.”
There was a parade with several teams, who took the field from the youngest T-ball teams to the 11- and 12-year-old Majors Division teams. All of them were decked in college uniforms, from UC Irvine and Cal State Fullerton to Duke University and Texas University. Coaches said it gets children thinking about going to college, possibly as a player one day.
Several players from different teams united to say the pledge of allegiance, while Costa Mesa City councilwoman Wendy Leece threw out the first pitch.
First baseman Grace Amaya of the Minor B Division’s CSUF Titans was hit in the face Saturday morning during one at-bat and in the knee on another at-bat, plus she drew two walks. Her parents said she was OK, however. The 11-year-old sixth-grader played with her younger brother’s classmates, who were in fourth grade.
“When you bat and get a hit, it’s great,” Amaya said.
Preston Ray, 9, plays for the Minors’ Red Raiders.
“I like playing,” Ray said. “I like batting, I’ve gotten better.”