Youth: Bakersfield.com

Wrestling championships: It hurts to lose!

What an exciting experience it was to be a part of the crowd at the recent California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) wrestling championships. The hard work, dedication, and expertise of each wrestler was apparent to all. My hat is off to each medalist along with a great amount of respect for the GPA’s of 3.3 or above, if I heard correctly, of each of the finalists.

Not to diminish in any way the awesome fete of each of the medal winners, my heart and thoughts are directed to those who lost matches and saw their dream of being a champion dashed. These words are for you Greg and all of the other wrestlers who had worked so hard and seemed to walk away empty handed.

It hurts to lose! I do understand. I too have experienced the hurt of working hard at something only to have it not work out. It hurts deeply to lose a match fair and square, but doubly so when the loss comes based on the poor judgment of others, no matter how well meaning. Remember this, the ref…whether right or wrong…only has the authority to withhold a medal. He cannot tear from your heart who you are as a person.

Greg, others have said you have a “funky” style of wrestling. So what? Perhaps they haven’t had the health and other issues to deal with that caused you to develop your own style. You stuck it out and deserve to be given credit for being an individual who stood firm and earned his position as an awesome wrestler. I appreciate who you are as a young man with the maturity to work with those having special needs while others shun or laugh at them. You are known for your kind and helpful spirit. You have stayed behind and done a great deal of “grunt” work with wrestling cleanup when the others walked away. Having watched your hard work and dedication in the face of sometimes unkind or unfair circumstances has helped me appreciate you more than words can say. And just think...there are many others just like you!

To all who won, I say hold your head up high and be proud of your accomplishment, just take time to remember the many hard fought matches and wrestlers that helped you develop your strength. To those who lost, hold your head up as well, for the value of your integrity and hard work can never be withheld from you. Each participant at the tournament was a winner. Every wrestler and coach can take this experience and build upon it to encourage those God will bring through their lives over the coming years. Medal winners can encourage others not to give up, that hard work does pay off. Non-medalists just think! Who better than you will be able to lend a listening ear and understanding heart to others who are passing through their own painful experiences?

A thank you goes to all coaches, volunteers, families, and schools for the encouragement of CIF excellence. Kids like those who competed at this tournament are reason for pride and hope. No matter how our crazy word is turned upside down today, we can all sleep better at night because out there in schools across our nation are young people who know how to work hard and strive to be the best not just athletically, but scholastically and personally as well.

Thank you Phil for not only being Greg’s dad, but for your 13 years and countless thousands of hours dedicated to faithfully being his coach and mentor. The selfless gift of your example and encouragement will live on in Greg and the hundreds of other youth you have coached over the years. The world would be a better place if more dads were as giving and faithful as you.

God bless all involved with CIF, but particularly you Greg. You have become more than just my beloved grandson, you are now one of my heroes. We know we can trust the words of Christ who said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in your weakness." ….So Greg and all the others….there was pain in losing but no real losers, The best is yet to come!

Love, Grandma Kay Kapler

13 Cups and Counting....

The South Valley Strikers U13 Girls Soccer team added to their string of championship cups by recently winning the 2009 Brigade Invitational. This is their 13th tournament Championship. This dynamic group of 12 and 13 year old girls have been together for three years and currently play in the Coast Soccer League. They won their Silver North Bracket and will be competing at the Silver Elite level beginning this September. The Strikers are the youngest girls team from Kern County to ever compete at this level. Their coach, Shelby Klippel, played on the Women's CSUB Soccer team from 2002-06. Her dedication, as well as that of the girls and their families help to make this team successful.

Team members are (from left to right): Top- Victoria Womble, Hannah Jones, Mackenzie Duerksen, Brea Wanner, Coach Shelby Klippel, Baylee Starkey, Katelyn Thatcher, Laney Carrasco, Sydney Hubble. Middle- Dakota Baze, Alexia Gonzalez, Tala Haddad, Madison Todd, Tori Blackmon, Kate Hamilton. Bottom- Morgan Collins, Domenique Barnes and Paris Barnes.

What kind of house are you building?

Most people, especially kids, don’t think too hard about what they eat. They pick something up, put it in their mouth and chew. They don’t realize that what they just ate will be a part of their body within 2 hours. It is a part of their body just as bricks are a part of a wall. The entire wall is made of bricks and your body is made up entirely of the food you eat!

Certain foods are much better for you than others. Fruits, vegetables, fresh leafy greens, milk, lean meats, fish, nuts and water are all important in building and re-building your body. This is true for everybody. But it is especially important for athletes because athletes break down their bodies faster than non-athletes and need to rebuild it faster as well. Just as important is what you rebuild your body with. A perfect example of this can be seen in the tale of the “3 Little Pigs”.

You see each home of the pigs was built with something. The first house was weak and didn’t stand up against the rigors of the wolf. This is what happens when you work hard (like you do during our camps) and then try to rebuild your body with candy, sweets, cookies, sugary cereals, and you leave out vegetables and fruits. Your body is going to breakdown easily and not be very strong when it needs to be.

The second house was built a little bit stronger but not by much. His house was still pretty easily taken down by the wolf. This is like drinking sugary, caffeinated drinks like Starbucks and eating greasy hamburgers and hotdogs with a few veggies on the side. Your body will still not be able to stand up to the work you put it through. You will be tired, sluggish and you won’t play too well.

Now the third pig, he had one heck of a strong house. It was made of brick and iron. Nothing could take it down and it was always ready for the next challenge. This is what your body feels like when you eat lots of vegetables, fruits, lean meats like chicken (no chicken strips!!), fish, low fat dairy like yogurt and chocolate milk.

These are just a few, but here are good food choices:

Breakfast	Lunch
Wheaties w/ milk	Turkey sandwich
Whole Wheat Toast and Peanut Butter	Chicken salad
Yogurt and granola	Buffalo Burger
Strawberry Banana Smoothie	Turkey Burger
Oatmeal	Tuna Salad Sandwich
Scrambled Eggs w/Salsa	Apple-Banana-PB Smoothie

Dinner	Snacks
Chicken	Raisins
Fish	Strawberries
Goat cheese Salad	Pineapple
Spaghetti	Chocolate Milk
Chili	Sunflower Seeds
Soup	Yogurt

The key to making good choices is keeping added sugar out and eating foods that are minimally processed. Do not eat food that is deep fried with batter, drenched in butter, no fast food and ice cream only once per week. Parents, you are the ones buying the food. Buy and prepare quality meals with whole foods. Your child’s body will thank you.

Baseball Specific Strength Training

Most youth baseball players are dreaming of becoming Jimmy Rollins, Matt Kemp or Josh Beckett. That is a great thing. These dreams are what drove these players to get where they are. But they took a proactive approach to their game. In the off-season these guys are training for speed, strength, and power to improve their defensive range, their bat speed and their time around the bases.

To be an above average player, you must train more than the average player. To be an all-star, you have to train like an all-star. You have to out train the competition and out train the game. You must train in a very functional way. Your movements must be specific to the sport you are training for. You need to be working on proper mechanics, you must strength train with proper mechanics, you must power train with intention. You have to train like you mean it.

However, parents need to be concerned with who they let train, coach and supervise their children. Many "specialist's" are simply people who played the sport and claim to know what they are doing. Don't be fooled by these people. They present a real risk to the health and safety of your children. Check for these 4 things when looking for a trainer for your baseball/softball player:

Have a CSCS, YCS or PES certification. These are the highest certifications that a sport specialist can have. If they don't have this, that's a red flag.
They have a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Kinesiology or Exercsie Science
They have experience working with athletes, ask for references
Their coaching style fits your child's learning style (don't know what your child's learning style is? Email me for a free consultation)

We require that teachers be state credentialed and have background checks. They are qualified to teach your children. That is essentially what a sports trainer is. He is teaching your child how to move for the game, to prevent injury and improve performance. You owe it to your child to research who is training your children.

For a list of qualified professionals in Bakersfield visit:

http://nsca-lift.org/trainers/default.asp

For more information regarding youth training, sports performance training, baseball training or youth injuries, email me at aaron@pairmarotta.com

BC Women's Basketball Needs You

Come out and support the Renegades Women’s Basketball team and enjoy an evening of great food, live music and exciting football, all for a great cause.

The team, which is preparing for their season beginning early November, is seeking community assistance to help fund the team’s participation in games. The community is invited to attend a special tailgate fundraiser on October 25 at 5 p.m. before Bakersfield College’s Homecoming football game against Glendale.

The team fundraises to offset the costs of equipment, shoes, travel gear, uniforms and more. This fundraiser also supports travel to tournaments, hotels and food. “To keep our program going, we work to fundraise about $8,000 per year,” explained head coach Paula Dahl.

For just $60, a family and friends four pack of dinners includes a tri-tip or pork tenderloin dinner, live music by local band and Bakersfield College alumni “Back Up Johnny”, dancing and tickets to the Homecoming game. Individual tickets are just $20.

The team can accept cash or checks made payable to BC Women’s Basketball and drop-ins are welcome. To reserve your spot, call Women’s Basketball head coach Paula Dahl at 395-4257.

Inline skating championships brought the world to Tehachapi

September 26-28th, kids & parents from all over the world came to Tehachapi, CA to compete in the Amateur Inline League's World Championships event that was held at and presented by the premier sports camp, Woodward West. Over a thousand people attended this annual inline skating event.

The weekend consisted of great skating, a huge award banquet, and a Pro event where the top athletes in the world competed for $5,000!

Kern County’s Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream, Subway, Hodad’s Surf & Skate, & Mama Hillybean’s Coffee Shop were huge supporters of the weekend extravaganza! A huge thank you goes out to them!

The Amateur Inline League is looking at doing a 40-day school tour and Cancer benefit for kids in 2009! For more information & a complete 2009 schedule check out www.inlineleague.com.

Competitive Swimming for Young Athletes

Beijing’s Summer Olympics and the success of American swimmers such as Michael Phelps did much to increase national interest in the sport of swimming. Since the conclusion of the games less than one month ago, USA Swimming, the national governing organization for swimming in the United States, has seen a five percent surge in participation in swimming programs.

Locally, swimmers of all ages are taking to pools across Bakersfield for a glimpse of the chlorinated world that made swimmers such as Phelps famous. While many are seeking casual respite from the searing summer heat, others are starting to experience competitive swimming for the very first time.

At Bakersfield College, competitive swimming is being brought to local elementary school students through a program designed to introduce younger children to competitive swimming in order to prepare them for high school and college teams. Born out of the college’s annual summer swimming lesson program, this year’s program includes 100 students from six elementary schools from the immediate area around Bakersfield College, 43 alone from Dr. Juliet Thorner Elementary.

“Each year we have swimming lessons here at Bakersfield College, and each year we are asked if we have anything else to offer these children,” explained Tina Cummings, Bakersfield College Aquatics Director. “We decided to pilot a program with Thorner last year and had 25 students in the program. Word of mouth carried the program to other schools and now we have 100 students.”

The elementary swim program is an introduction to competitive swimming techniques.

Information was distributed to families through the schools and the six teams were formed. Teams are from both public and private elementary schools.

Cost for the program is $125 per student for the eight week season and includes a team t-shirt, awards, meet entries, ribbons and a banquet at the end of the season. Fees from the program benefit the Bakersfield College Swim Team and the pool facilities. Parents provide transportation to and from the program, with many watching and cheering from under popup tents with fans in soaring temperatures.

At the start of the eight week season, students are tested on their swimming ability and provided additional instruction by Bakersfield College Swim Team members who have taught during the summer lesson series.

Students from Kindergarten through sixth grade participate and are separated into groups for specialized instruction, from basic stroke and breathing management through more advanced techniques to generate power. All that is required to participate is the ability to swim a lap of freestyle in Bakersfield College’s small pool.

At the end of the eight week season, the schools in the program will compete in a meet against one another with prizes and awards to all teams participating.

“We are really just hoping to introduce swimming to students in elementary schools who wouldn’t have the option,” said Cummings.

Bakersfield College will be starting a high school development program for junior high and high school students in November which will run through January. The program will be an introduction to swimming for new swimmers and a conditioning program for returning high school swimmers. The pools at Bakersfield College are heated, so participants don’t have to worry about swimming in cold weather.

“Training in the winter is really a way to get into shape for the spring season,” said Cummings. “Students who participate in the winter session will be ready for the high school swim season at their school.”

To find out more about the competitive swimming programs at Bakersfield College, call Tina Cummings at 395-4663.

Get Your Fangs Out, It's Fall Ball!

I had only imagined and had only speculated the joys and frustrations that make up organized youth sports. If I’m being honest, I really only saw the frustration up until recently when my eldest son started T-Ball. Before we had an opportunity to participate in youth sports, I only saw throngs of parents sitting in wobbly camping chairs either in the extreme heat or extreme cold, watching a practice or a game either too early or too late in the day but more often smack in the middle of a meal time. And, sometimes I saw tired and dirty boys and girls piling into a fast food restaurant at an hour nearing bedtime with cleats still on their feet and designated jersey numbers upon their backs.

“Is this our future?” I had asked my husband before we had our first child.

“Maybe.” He replied.

Well, two sons later it most certainly is our present. And after being at our eldest son’s first t-ball game, I see the joy of the game and only found frustration in the parking situation. For those of you who don’t see that there is a parking situation, perhaps a few rules will help you stop annoying the rest of us.

Rule Number One: Little cars should not be so bold when you have angry moms in SUV’s. If you drive a little car, think bumblebee and rhinoceros. Hope that helps.

Rule Number Two: Just because your car can fit there, it still doesn’t make it a parking spot.

Rule Number Three: I don’t think the architects of these parking lots have envisioned the lots, as clearly as some of you have, that there should only be one point of ingress and egress as you have clearly created by disregarding Rule #’s 1 and 2.

But, be that as it may, what I don’t do to offend as far as parking is concerned, I seemed to have more than made up for in the realm of being annoying and offensive on the field. I videotaped nearly the entire game and have watched it almost every day this week. And, I’ll be the first one to admit it’s hard to watch without curling my shoulders up to my ears at the sheer shrillness of my voice, screaming to my son to run, run, run and catch it, catch it, catch it!

Ah, yes. I’m quite embarrassed with myself. I used to make fun of crazy moms like me. Naturally, I assumed I would not be one of those psychotic sports moms. But there’s just something about MY kid that makes me think he’s so much better than everyone else’s and I feel an overwhelming need to let all of you know that. I kid, of course, but at the game I screamed and I screamed and I screamed. I interfered with the dugout, overstepped the natural boundaries between observer and wanna-be coach, and probably inserted my big butt in the frame of several different snapshots trying to be taken by demure and properly sitting parents when their own child was up at bat. Uh yeah, I got nothing except…I’m sorry.

All I can say is that I have evidence through my videotaping that I may have taken it a bit overboard. I’m going to try to tone it down a smidge before the next game and try my darndest to not get out of my seat. Of course, my seat might be up against the fence at home base, but I promise to attempt sitting.

So, some of you need to understand the rational of white painted, properly designated parking spaces, and I’ll take a muscle relaxer. Then, we’ll all be good and we can say in unison, “Play Ball!”

AYSO Region 73 - Opening Day

AYSO Region 73's opening day was eventful not to mention hot! With over 1,800 registered players ranging in ages 3 to 18, the first day of the soccer season proved to be well under way. The heat did not stop anyone from having a great day! New to the region is the "Under 5" program, which introduces soccer to children ages 3 - 4. This is the region's first year establishing this program, which involves participation from players as well as their parents.

Bakersfield Team Takes No. 1

A Bakersfield volleyball team took home the big prize at a national tournament in Reno.

Club Jamba defeated an Orange County team in three games, taking home the first place trophy in the 14-year-old division.

The “Volleyball Festival”, as it is called, was created 25 years ago as a west coast alternative to the Jr. Olympics. The Jamba 14’s team is coached by Jodi Parks. Jamba was the number one seed going into the tournament and held that ranking throughout the five-day tournament.

The final score in the three-game match with the Saddleback Valley Volleyball Club was 16-25, 25-23 and 15-12.

This was one of the most successful years for Bakersfield’s Club Jamba. The 12-year old team, coached by Kathy Jackson, took second place in their division--and several of Jamba’s other teams placed in the top twenty.

Nearly seven hundred teams from the U.S. and countries such as Canada and Puerto Rico competed in the different age divisions from ages 12 through 18. The “Volleyball Festival” is billed as the largest annual sporting event in the world. The founders of the tournament wanted a “Jr. Olympics” type tournament on the west coast since a majority of the sport’s top athletes live in California.

Into Sports? It runs in the family

Over the fence is a commonly cheered by a particular onlooker who is near and dear. No pressure. No pressure here! A fan, family, friends even the dog...all have their picks of cheer. You know it runs in the family! And that's okay to say...if you have been at any one of these baseball games.

Oh, he's your nephew, he's your grandson. Baseball made him Coopers Town Hall of Fame. Hit one for Grams giving all that he has to play...makes it an all exciting and intense game. Watched by fans unknown to him take their spot and admire him...or to catch a grin. Looking like a pro-- we look forward to seeing him get in.

Cheers go out, seems much is depending on him...and the girls well, just might want to marry him! While still focused on his game. He makes it safe...after a pickle he slides into base. Closer to home and winning this game. It's a fun time, a game to see. A team player efforts exceeds since the All-Star little league traveling team...the greatest expectations he's mastering.

That's my son. That's my brother working brilliantly...all out doing for each other in support of this junior college team. He's glad to play baseball...at this level, it's a winner's league. Making the grade. He's already made a name, making a hit! Runs come in. Making a throw...the umpire calls it...out at home! It's not a mystery anymore for we all know he will make the score.

Former scout who takes in a good seat. Scouts all around, observing noticeably. The principal, former coaches behind their cities league...walking proudly...makes all the buzz in the news this morning, afternoon and evening crews. Batting up for his coaches, his team...for super regionals Western State Conference games 2008 series ending.

This could be anyone. Does this sound like you? It runs in my family...Congratulations to my nephew, Mr. Casey Michael Brown. All American young gentleman...whose into sports.

NIKE TENNIS CAMPS

NIKE TENNIS CAMPS

Day Camps ~ Ages 4 - 17 ~ ALL SKILL LEVELS
Directed by Jeff Hedberg, Certified USPTA Professional

CAMP DATES:
June 2-6 / June 9-13 / June 16-20 / June 23-27 / June 30 - July 3rd
July 7-11 / July 14-18 / July 21-25 / July 28 - August 1

Day Camp Fee: $225 (8:30 am - 2:30pm)
Day campers will have the option to swim and play extra tennis and stay until
5:00 pm.
[Day Camp Fee - the week of June 30th: $180.00]

Half Day Camp Fee: $200 (8:30-12:00 pm)
[Half Day Camp Fee - the week of June 30th: $160.00]

Lunch is provided for campers daily.

* Superior tennis instruction - low camper to instructor ratio
* Campers are carefully grouped on court with players of their own level
* Daily match play in a fun-spirited, team-oriented format
* Official Nike Tennis Camp t-shirt and prizes
* Campers will receive a pair of Nike Tennis Shoes

Call the shop for more details or stop by to register

Store Hours: Monday - Thursday: 9am - 7pm & Friday: 9am - 6pm
Weekends: 9am - 4pm
(661) 325-8652

A Big Thank You to the Condors

I would like to give a Big Community Thank You to the Bakersfield Condor Booster Club, Coach Marty Raymond and the Bakersfield Condors for their hospitality at a recent Booster club meeting earlier this month. I had the privilege to address the club regarding a truly courageous and wonderful young man named James Liles. James Liles is a 14 year old Freshman at Liberty High School who starred on the Liberty High School Frosh/Soph football team this past season. James came down with a serious form of cancer to which he is currently undergoing intense chemotherapy at UCLA Medical Center. James is battling this cancer with the intensity as if he was on the field. As I addressed the Condor Booster Club, I felt as if I was a part of them. I would just like to commend the Bakersfield Condor organization for having such a class group of citizens that makes me feel proud to be from Bakersfield.

Local gymnasts compete in Nevada

10 boys from American Academy gymnastics team competed this month at the 2008 Region 1 Men's Gymnastics Championships in Reno, Nevada. Boys from California, Nevada, Arizona, and Hawaii competed. Only the top finishers from the State competitions qualifed for the Regional Competition.

Coached by Tom Ladman, the following boys competed: Level 10: Corey Esquivias, Kyle Dahl, and Michael Lostaunau; Level 9: Dusten Pettibone; Level 8: Weston Petterson; Level 6: Tyler Padgett; Level 5: John Fulce, Michael LaRochelle, Spencer Raddatz and Benjamin Walker.

Notable finishers included:

Pettibone, P Bars - 10th place

Peterson, Hi Bar - 7th place

Padgett, Rings - 1st place, Pommel - 2nd place

LaRochelle, Hi Bar - 4th place, All Around - 10th place

Fulce, Rings - 7th place, Vault - 9th place, P Bars - 4th place, Hi Bar - 5th place, All Around - 6th place

Jack Frost Football Sign-ups

Jack Frost Football League, a rich tradition of youth football for over 45 years, will be holding their second spring sign-up session for the 2008 fall football season. Registration will be at Saunder’s Park on Palm Avenue (west of Oak Street), Saturday, April 19, from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. A free BBQ will be available for all young athletes and their parents.

Jack Frost Football League was founded in 1963 by a group of men who saw a need in our community for young athletes to take part in organized tackle football on a junior high level. In the late 1990’s sixth grade athletes were included in the program. The qualifying ages are 11 through 14 years, nine months. High school students are not eligible.

The goals of Jack Frost Football are to develop ideals of health, citizenship and character; to instill sportsmanship, fair play and team spirit; to teach fundamentals and rules of the game; to promote safety in competitive activity; to put effort exerted and attitude displayed above winning and to develop mutual respect and appreciation among youngsters of varied backgrounds.

The JFL Program was named in honor of the late Mr. Jack Frost, a much beloved football coach in Kern County. Mr. Frost coached at KCUHS from 1927-1934, which later became known as Bakersfield High School. In 1934 he became the Head Coach at Bakersfield College and remained there until 1952.

Jack Frost Football League is a nonprofit organization with elected directors and is supported by service clubs, businesses, boosters, individuals, volunteers, parents, and grandparents. Westchester Kiwanis has been a team sponsor for the entire 45 years of existence with thousands of volunteer hours.

In 2007, Kiwanis Division 33 took over game day duties as a division service project including game announcers, first down marker crews, ticket sellers, time keepers, and program sellers. Currently, three members of Division 33 Kiwanis Clubs serve on the JFL Board of Directors.

Organized practice will start in late July with practice scrimmages in mid-August. League games begin in September and continue through October. All games are played at local high schools on Saturdays throughout the season with KCOA officials and a certified paramedic on duty.

Coaches from the following areas will be available at the sign-ups: Bakersfield, Centennial, EBHS, Golden Valley, Liberty, South, and West. All interested athletes are encouraged to sign-up on April 19. The registration fee of $100.00 must be included with a permission form signed by a parent or guardian.

Additional information is available on their website, jackfrostfootball.net or by contacting Bob, (661) 399-4285.

Soccer and Scouting

The Southern Sierra Council, Boy Scouts of America is pleased to introduce a new program for the community – Soccer and Scouting! Soccer and Scouting brings the excitement of soccer and the character building values of Scouting together for a non-competitive league where the focus is on fun!

Your child does not have to be a Scout to play, and Soccer and Scouting is available to both boys and girls!

Soccer and Scouting is a year round program in which your child will learn soccer skills, build teamwork, make new friends and have fun all at the same time.

Sign up on Saturday, April 5, 2008 at Virginia Park Soccer Field located at Virginia Avenue and Industrial Street. The registration fee is $50 and includes a soccer uniform and soccer ball.

For more information please contact Gabriela Puga at the Boy Scout office at 661-325-9036.

Seeking Youth Football Donations

Throwback Jr NFL is a youth football organization that deals with at-risk children. We are looking for sponsors or donations for our teams.

Throwback Jr NFL formerly (Junior Pro Football) is a club football program for boys 10-12 that's a member of www.pacificcoastyouthfootball&cheerinc. and play our games in thier northern midget conference. Throwback Jr NFL has about 80 young men in our program. We raise money every year by washing cars so we can play our games in Southern California. We are looking to furnish our players with new equipment and uniforms beacause our are too old and need to be repaced.

We would really appreciate help from our community, considering the young men we work with in our community. They are largely from single parent famlies who can't afford to play in other programs here in Bakersfield. Most of them are exposed to gangs & drugs. If you would like to help please contact: Delray Beavers Team manager & Organization Director. (661) 827-1017

Please support youth football

GEYF (Golden Empire Youth Football), particularly the North Fire team, is having problems raising money this year for the kids to play. It is my understanding that if they don't raise the money the kids might not get to play.

This is a program that keeps a lot of kids in an activity all summer and also keeps some from getting into any kind of trouble. If you know anyone who would like to donate please have them call:

Larry Ellis
(661) 978-0691

BTW...the donation is eligible for tax write off as they are a non-profit organization. Their web site is:

http://www.geyf.org/fire.html

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Have a ball with the Boy Scouts

Spring is on its way and that means warm weather, flowers in bloom and baseball! For the last 53 years, the Southern Sierra Council, Boy Scouts of America has been host to a non-competitive Baseball League to encourage boys to participate in a sports program.

This program is designed to allow boys a chance to have fun, play baseball and not worry about being competitive.

You do not have to be a Scout to play! Any boy age 6 through 12 can participate. The program runs three different leagues based on age:

Rookie League is for the youngest kids, 6 and 7 years of age. They start with t-ball and swing until they get a hit. This is where the basics are learned and lots of fun is to be had!

The Minor League is for boys 8 and 9 years of age. The coaches pitch to the boys, but a tee is on hand for those who wish to use it.

Major League is for 10, 11 and 12-year-old boys. Many of these boys have played Scout baseball before and the boys pitch to each other in this league.

The Boy Scouts of America use physical fitness as a main key in their programs, and playing baseball is an excellent activity and learning opportunity. Over the years, the program has gone through many different transformations, but one thing still stays the same: The program is still a non-competitive low impact teaching league that allows the kids to play baseball and have fun.

The registration fee is $60 and includes the following:

Team T-shirt & Hat
Professional Photos
6 weeks of play – 12 games in the season beginning June 3^rd
1 Ticket to the “End of Season Gala” at the Bakersfield Blaze Baseball Game

For more information or to register please contact Jeff at the Southern Sierra Council, Boy Scouts of America at 661-325-9036.

High school student deserves to be heard.

In reaction to the initial reports, both print and televised, regarding the arrest of East Bakersfield High soccer player Ryan Woolley, I am somewhat disappointed in the way in which young Mr. Woolley is being treated.

Every report has been solely based on the perspective of the "victim" and his teammates. I, as well as hundreds of others, witnessed this soccer match between EBHS and San Joaquin Memorial, and it was highly competitive throughout. However, the adults on the field, and the security in charge of crowd control, were horrible, and partly to blame for what occurred following the match. The head referee on the field only handed out only two yellow cards the entire game (which included two 10-minute overtime periods), a game in which players were getting extraordinarily "chippy". For every penalty and stoppage in the game in which rewarded EBHS, SJ Memorial players were in the faces of the referees, as well as taunting the EBHS players.

Many players after the game were commenting on the lack of sportsmanship on the part of SJ Memorial. How dare Coach Martinez of SJ Memorial comment on the poor behavior of EBHS in a television interview. And how dare a local TV station only get the perspective of one team's coach and not the other's.

The school security at the game was not on its game either. In a CIF Section Championship game, security is responsible for gauging the potential for any dangerous activities to occur, and should be lining the field in anticipation of the final whistle.

In defense of Mr. Woolley, we have not heard any of his side of the story. Many people on or near the "pitch" that night say they witnessed SJM's Liam Hall, whom had been very rambunctious in celebration during and after the match, come up from behind Woolley immediately following the final whistle. From many accounts, it seems as if Woolley acted in self-defense and elbowed (not punched as was initially reported) Hall, which resulted in moderate injuries to Hall's face.

I personally have coached Ryan Woolley and have had him and his family at my home, and can vouch that he is a very nice and unintimidating young man. Of all of his siblings, he is definitely the most soft-spoken, and has always been polite in his dealings with teammates, coaches, as well as his competitors. From my knowledge he has not had any disciplinary problems relating to violence whatsoever. So for Ryan to be treated as a criminal by San Joaquin Memorial, Kern High School District officials, and anyone else making judgment based on initial reports is not fair until his perspective of the incident has been heard. Granted, the way in which Ryan acted that evening warrants disciplinary action, and disappoints many who know him including myself. If an investigation proves that Ryan acted inappropriately without being provoked in any way, he deserves the appropriate penalty to be levied upon him. Had this incident happened on my watch, Ryan would not be let off the hook easy, yet I would have also come to his defense any way possible. That is what a good young man he is.

I have questioned the method in which this incident has been handled, and have asked if EBHS was playing a school in which their players' families could not afford private legal assistance, would Ryan have been arrested? Would the KHSD have treated this situation differently if the incident happened between two low-income schools? Ryan has a bright future ahead of him in anything he sets his mind toward, whether in athletics, academics, or the work force. For him to have a felony cloud looming over him without due process would be unjust. Ryan's parents should look into all avenues of the legal system in order to help their son to avoid this from happening.

Keep your head up Ryan, and continue to stay positive through it all.

Local Bakersfield Boy's Soccer Team Awarded the Fox Soccer Channel Team Spirit Award

The Boys Under-14 Central California Aztecs of Bakersfield was presented the inaugural Fox Soccer Channel Team Spirit Award on Saturday, Jan. 5 during the Cal South Nike Awards Banquet in Los Angeles. The award was created to recognize the Cal South-affiliated youth soccer team that best excels in leadership and promoting good sportsmanship both on and off the field. The Central California Aztecs earned a $1,000 check to be used towards tournament entry fees and equipment, while each player received a gift pack courtesy of Fox Soccer Channel. The Aztecs, led by head coach Ricardo Gutierrez, will also appear in a 30-second promotional spot on the network highlighting their accomplishment.

Photo Credit-Fox Soccer Channel Los Angeles, CA

GBA is gearing up for a new season

Since 1961 families have been playing baseball and softball at a place known as GBA — the Greenfield Baseball/Softball Association.

"We have 2nd and 3rd generations of families playing out here."

Sometimes they will come clear across town just to play at GBA. It used to be way out in the middle of no where. Surrounded by cotton fields on the corner of Cottonwood and Panama roads near Taft Highway. We are still surrounded by fields, but houses keep getting closer and closer.

The Greenfield Baseball/Softball Association has been dedicated to the youth of our community, giving them somewhere to have some fun, meet new friends and maybe enhance their skills. We've encouraged the dreams of thousands of kids throughout the years. Some have even made their dreams come true and made the big leagues.

No, we don't have a lot of fancy things like a paved parking lot or electronic scoreboards or premiere manicured fields or a National Championship Team. However, we do have something better, like family traditions, the love of the game, community support and dedicated people who care about kids staying off the streets and out of trouble. We have parents willing to take the time to spend coaching, not only for their own children but for many other children as well. Our main concern is the kids have fun and have a positive experience. As time goes by things always change, but the GBA will be here as long as there are kids wanting to play ball.

The Greenfield Baseball/Softball Association is a non-profit organization. We have no city or county connections or help. We operate solely on the donations of our sponsors and with the support of the community. If anyone is interested in sponsoring a team or even a child, or donating materials please contact Stacey Hernandez @ 661-343-8938 or GBA @ 661-833-6058.

Sign-ups for the 2008 spring season will be held at Rusty's Pizza, 3221 S H St., on Dec. 1 and 15 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Boys and girls ages 4 to 16 are welcome. Cost is $90 per child until January, then cost goes up to $100. Verification of age such as birth certificate or an immunization record will be required.

Volunteer coaches, team sponsors and certified umpires are needed! For more information, call Kylie Garza at 619-5397 or Vicki Darringer at663-7682 or Greenfield Baseball Association at 833-6058.