Sun Valley Team Places 5th in ‘Little Majors’

The Sun Valley Park Bums, a 12-member youth team based in Fernangeles Park, returned home Friday with smiling faces from baseball’s most revered destination.

The Bums placed fifth out of 46 teams from throughout North America at this year’s “Little Majors” tournament in Cooperstown, N.Y.

“It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said team mother Sylvia Benavidez of Sylmar.

Largely composed of youngsters from low-income families, the Bums play year-round in about 100 games per year, Benavidez said. Financial support comes from sponsors, donations and fund-raising.

Two years ago, the team won a championship played in the Midwest. Based on their reputation, Benavidez said, they were invited this year to Cooperstown, home of the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Thanks to the efforts of Assemblyman Tony Cardenas (D-Sylmar), and air fares for the players donated by US Airways, Benavidez said parents of 10 of the players were also able to go.

Benavidez was able to see her son, Dean, 12, who plays shortstop, place first in the “road runner” skill category as the fastest runner at the weeklong event.

Meanwhile, Vanessa Perez of Sylmar, who plays first base for the Bums, enjoyed a distinction of her own: She was the only female ballplayer at the tournament.