Nogales National Little League honored 2008’s all-stars and began a new season with opening day ceremonies at Little League Park Saturday. Nogales is a baseball town that personifies the Little League spirit, District Eight Administrator Laura Wilson said.

Nogales Little League teams line up during opening day ceremonies at Little League Park Saturday.

“I love Nogales,” she said. “My children have played here many, many years. Nogales truly embodies the spirit of Little League; the entire community effort, getting together in order to support kids playing a sport where they learn so many of life’s lessons through baseball.”

The day featured ceremonies with speeches, presentation of all-star certificates, a free raffle for players with bats and batting gloves as prizes, throwing of the first pitch by Little League fan Constantino Rodriguez, carne asada, hot dogs, refreshments and three Little League games.

Rodriguez has been a Little League fan for more than 60 years, he said. His sons and grandsons all played in Nogales Little League.

“I hope I have great-grandsons playing there, too,” he said. “I like to see the small kids. They bring everything out of me.”

Certified

The Nogales National Little League is seeking certification for their safety play this season, which is necessary to host the district tournaments.

“It’s something that has been brought upon us by Little League in Williamsport,” Nogales Little League President Jorge Maldonado said, “in order to get a tournament for us, that we normally enjoy in June. We have all-star teams coming to compete in the 9-10, 10-11 or 11-12 divisions.”

The board and officials have attended CPR and umpire courses for the certification, Maldonado said. “We’re trying to work our hardest. The city does a great job on the fields. That really helps us a lot. It’s all for the safety of the kids, and for the safety of you in the stands. You’ll be seeing more signs throughout the field. Hopefully, we’ll have it completed by the end of March. That’s the only way we’ll be able to have tournaments hosted by Nogales Little League.”

The league awarded scholarships to local students last year, and plans to do so again this school year, Vice President Eddie Cota said. The program began two years ago. “We’ve been able to give 10 Nogales High School seniors the opportunity to get a little bit of money from the league,” Cota said.

Students who participated in Little League and achieved certain goals within the high school received a $500 scholarship, Cota said. “This year, I have six individuals who are being considered. They’re pledging. You’re going to see them around the field and concession stand. They’re going to be umpiring and other stuff.”

The students this season are Juan “Speedy” Espiricueta, Joselo Ahumada, Daniel Zuniga, Bobby Torres, Cory Calixtro and Pryscilla Heredia.

“You’re going to see them helping out with Little League,” Cota said.

A raffle of two autographed baseballs and a Tommy Lasorda T-shirt on opening day helped the cause, and Cota plans to get contributions from area businesses to help with the scholarships, he said.

Wilson grew up in Yuma, and played Bobby Sox softball in her youth.

“We traveled all over; California. We went down to New Mexico and played. We played in Tucson and Phoenix,” she explained.

“Nogales always had a good reputation for the baseball part of Little league,” she added. “We didn’t have a Little League in Yuma when I grew up. They are actually just getting started with one now. I really believe in sport activities for kids because they learn how to deal with life �“ disappointments and successes �“ and how to play as a team. Those are all good lessons for when we get older.”

Currently, girls who want to play softball in Santa Cruz County are eligible to join the Little League teams in Rio Rico.

“Softball is not really huge in our district yet,” Wilson said. “I’m hoping that it will get there. I think there’s a market to expand the softball program. I’m just not quite sure how to do that successfully, but I’m working on it.”

Team sponsors are a big part of getting the teams going each year. This is especially true in tough economic times, Maldonado said. AMSA, a Nogales trucking firm owned by Juan Durazo, sponsors teams in the 7-8, 9-10 and 11-12 categories.

“It’s only for the kids. We wanted to make a great effort instead of spending on useless stuff. It’s for our kids,” Durazo said. “I wanted to make an extra effort for the kids.”

Durazo has sponsored Little League teams for the past seven years. He finds coaches and volunteers to assist from among his friends, he said. “Little League is a great dream (for kids). It provides great friendships. Everything is great for the kids. I have three kids playing. It’s all part of the dream. I would sponsor four teams if I could.”