By Isaac SIMS-FOSTER, intern

Photos by David COHEN

Each year the Crescenta Valley Little League provides local children ages 4 to 14 with the opportunity to play baseball. On June 1, the League ended this year’s season with its annual closing ceremony when players across all divisions were recognized for their hard work and talent.
The stands of Montrose Park’s baseball field were packed by most of the members of the League’s 36 teams as they lined up behind the outfield. Outgoing League president Shawn Howard, who led the ceremony, reported that 425 kids had been involved with Little League this year.
Then began the parade of teams, when the divisions marched from first to third base to take a seat in the outfield. First came the T-ball division, then coach pitch, then minors, majors, and finally juniors. After the players, managers, and coaches were seated on the field, Howard began announcing players’ names so that they could receive their awards. The categories for the awards, repeated for each division, were fastest pitch, home run derby, throwing accuracy, base-running speed and sportsmanship. The Legacy Award was given to players in the Junior league, ages 12-14, who had played in every division of Little League while growing up.
Also notable was the presentation of scholarship money to four high school seniors who had played in the League in the past. Howard said that over the last several seasons, over $10,000 had been awarded in scholarships. Those four seniors were each given $500.
The ceremony closed after all awards were given out, and the Tournament Team, made up of all-stars from the league, was announced.
The members of the CVLL do more than just play baseball, however. As reported in a previous issue of CV Weekly, in March, CVHS junior Jack Breckow set out to become an Eagle Scout by calling on his friends and family in the CVLL and its community to donate hundreds of pieces of baseball gear to Roberto’s Kids, a nonprofit that sends baseball equipment to disadvantaged kids around the world.
“In total, the project collected 437 jerseys, 237 pairs of baseball pants, 214 bats, 103 T-shirts, 100 helmets, 77 gloves, 53 sweatshirts, 48 pairs of cleats, 40 hats, 36 chest protectors, 34 sets of shin guards, 10 catchers’ helmets, 23 pairs of socks, 19 pairs of batting gloves, 17 bat bags, 15 belts, seven buckets of baseballs [courtesy of Dick’s Sporting Goods] and seven scorebooks,” according to the article.
Walsh Carvalho, this year’s coach of Minors team 168 Fitness, mentioned Breckow’s Eagle project and recalled his own experience as a volunteer coach.
“It’s a life changing thing for me to still be involved with Little League as an adult, because it meant so much to me growing up,” said Carvalho. “It’s nice to still be a part of it.”

Photo by Isaac SIMS-FOSTER