By Charles Warren and Darrel Wheeler, Contributing Writers
On March 8, 2025, the league reached a major milestone, celebrating its 69th Opening Day with an event that embodied the spirit of the community. Families, players, and supporters filled the stands and sidelines, bringing excitement and energy to the field as a new season officially began.
When asked why parents chose Encanto Little League as the place for their children to play baseball, the response was unanimous: “Encanto Little League wasn’t chosen just for the love of baseball, but for the valuable lessons in discipline, teamwork, and personal growth that come with it,” as one parent shared.
Special guests graced the event, including Captain Vernon Peterson of the San Diego Police Department’s Southeastern Division, members of the San Diego Fire Department, and District 4 Representative Tiffany Harrison. The ceremonial first pitch was thrown by Captain Peterson and other honored guests, kicking off the day’s games with enthusiasm and energy.
The day’s ceremonies were made even more special with the involvement of young players/members from the league and community. Miguel Tavares Jr. and Logan Parrish led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance, while Christian Gillium delivered a stirring rendition of the National Anthem. The Little League Pledge, recited by Derrick Brown Jr. and Elijah Lopez, reinforced the values of teamwork and sportsmanship. Pastor Javier Castaneda offered an opening day prayer, blessing the players and the season ahead.
With an impressive turnout, young athletes took their first steps toward another year of competition and camaraderie. As the games were underway, players took the field. The energy and excitement for a new season of Encanto Little League baseball were undeniable.
One of the young talents, pitcher, and infielder Gionni Holiday, shared his thoughts on the league and his aspirations for the future. “I like baseball because it’s a fun sport, and I like the competition,” Holiday shared. “I want to take baseball to the next level in high school and college. I am not sure about the pros yet.”
Until those next levels are complete, the 12-year-old student at O’Farrell Charter will be perfecting his skills for Encanto’s Major League Grey’s one swing at a time.
The sponsors in attendance included SD Madres, Ochoa’s Automotive, Prostate Cancer Awareness for Life, and the San Diego Padres. Their contributions helped ensure a memorable and joyful season for all involved.
Encanto Little League President Judy Flores-Luna expressed her gratitude to the families, players, and sponsors, emphasizing the importance of youth sports in fostering community engagement and character development.
Encanto’s Grey’s Manager, Mike Ivory, who has been a dedicated mentor in the baseball community for over four decades, shared, “I’ve been doing this for 44 years now, and I still love working with the kids.”
Reflecting on the season ahead, Ivory expressed optimism about the young athletes’ potential. “We’ve got some kids with the ability to do great things, but we’ll have to wait and see—only time will tell,” he said. “If the kids are having fun and learning something at the same time, that’s what matters most.”
