By Darrel Wheeler
Contributing Writer
Last weekend National City’s Las Pamas Little League hosted this year’s Southern California Urban Initiative Jamboree. Friday through Sunday teams from Compton, Culver Marina, San Bernardino, Santiago, Blake and Holly Park Little League teams made the journey to America’s finest city for some friendly baseball competition
Lemon Grove, San Diego American, Encanto, and host Las Palmas Little League teams were this year’s San Diego representatives.
“This tournament is about the kids. We give every player the opportunity to have equal playing time, and each team was guaranteed at least three games. Every player played because of our rotation system, so everybody gets to bat,” said District administrator Roland Slade.
On Saturday all the teams were treated to the Padres vs Detroit baseball game compliments of the Padres.
“Padre Players came to the Jamboree and passed out player participation medals and gift bags to all the players. We really appreciate the Padres for their involvement, they were great,” said Slade.
There was plenty of action at this year’s 15th anniversary during the three-day Jamboree’s process of elimination. After all the home runs, stolen bases, cheers and jeers, Lemon Grove’s Major Pirates proved to be the best of the best as they easily defeated Las Pamas’s Padres 12-0 in Sunday’s championship game.
“The Pirates have a good team and they played hard, that’s the kind of baseball I like. I will always support little league baseball in San Diego because it is very positive for the kids,” baseball legend Willie “BoBo” Henderson said.
“Wait until you see our all-star team this season. We’re going to do some great things and we have some very talented players. You watch!” said Lemon Grove little league coach Carl Overstreet.
Photos by Darrel Wheeler:
