Local Youth Baseball’s Boys of Summer get early start

Seal Beach Youth baseball kicked off its 2019 Spring season on February 9. with opening day ceremonies at McGaugh School field and the introduction of over 24 teams and their 250-plus players.

The early morning rain cleared away for sunshine and blue skies, perfect baseball weather to start the league’s 64th season. SB PONY President Jay Hunter welcomed back all the players, team parent coordinator Summer Russell introduced all 24 teams, and the McGaugh choir sang the National Anthem. Then the 2018 Mustang All Stars, the most successful all-star team in the league’s history, were introduced and presented their Central Region Section Champion banner.

SBPD Officer Jorge Muniz presented the ceremonial first pitch ball which was thrown by Ben Aragon and caught by John DeRuyter, and the season was officially underway.

Over the day 22 teams got in some innings, while Snack Shack coordinators Heather Mundy and Natalie Binder kept the “off-duty” players and crowds happy with their slush puppies, and the Lions Club grilled up the leagues’ famous Anchor Dogs and Beach Burgers.

The Seal Beach League, which began as Seal Beach Kids baseball, is the oldest youth baseball league in the West Orange County area, dating back to 1956, making it two years older than the Los Alamitos Youth Baseball League which began as the Rossmoor Little league in 1958.