County Honors Little League All-Star Team
Moorpark’s Little League all-stars scored another home run Tuesday--this time on the public-relations front--as county leaders gushed with praise for the champs, who came to pick up certificates of appreciation at the County Government Center in Ventura.
Clad in their white jerseys with “Moorpark” spelled out in green lettering, the sluggers filled the front rows of the Board of Supervisors chambers as Supervisor Judy Mikels recalled their rise from regional winners to contenders at the Little League’s World Series tournament.
“It was a good year for them,” said Mikels, whose district includes Moorpark. “They pulled together as a team. Their coaches and fans followed them all over. We’re very proud of them.”
Although the players did not bring home the trophy, the 13-member team was one of four out of 6,000 nationwide to make it to the Williamsport, Pa., championships in August.
“It [the team’s success] felt good,” said 12-year-old Brandon Williams, one of 11 players who attended Tuesday’s brief ceremony. “It was a team effort. I can’t say it was just me.”
Bob Valenzuela, one of the team’s coaches, said he was grateful for the accolades from the supervisors.
“It was a great feeling to be recognized not only by the city of Moorpark but also by the county,” Valenzuela said.
Although the players had to sit through a lengthy discussion on funding for the county’s cash-starved libraries, they did not appear to have a problem ditching school for the ceremony.
“Do you mind not being in school this morning to do this?” asked Mikels, prompting a few players to shake their heads no.
As has become tradition, someone yelled, “Who’s in the house?” causing fans and relatives in the audience to yell back “Moorpark.”
Mikels ended the ceremony with a few words in memory of Joel Burchfield, a Moorpark Little League player who drowned in the Arroyo Simi earlier this year.
“We all know what he did for the team,” Mikels said. “Joel will be missed, but he certainly was an inspiration for the team.”