Little League Baseball: World class fun for Mesa National

Steve Virgen

COSTA MESA - By the time Dan Naulty came to speak, Connor Pearce,

Greer Cisneros, Kohl Ponsford, Jake Aldrich, Zack Shafer, five-year-olds

on the Astros, a minors T-ball team of the Costa Mesa National Little

League became restless. They had already sat through almost one hour of

opening ceremonies festivities at TeWinkle Intermediate School Saturday.

Naulty, a Major League relief pitcher who was on the 1999 World

Champion New York Yankees team, then passed around his World Series ring

and the Astros, along with the rest of the Mesa Little League players,

revived their focus, almost to the point that they ignored Naulty.

But, he quickly received their attention when he spoke of his career.

He also spoke of the importance of education. He said 60 Division I

universities were ready to give him a scholarship when he was at Ocean

View High. But, his grades were below average. He then went to Cerritos

College and built his education and playing ability to the point that 90

Division I universities wanted him.

He also let the players ask him questions.

“How good are you,” asked Chris Karr, six, of the Astros T-ball minor

team.

“You probably have to ask Joe Torre,” Naulty said.

Among the other questions: What is your favorite pitch to throw?

Answer: The pitch they don’t hit. But, seriously, my slider.

Who is the toughest batter you ever faced? Answer: Mark McGwire,

during his home run recordbreaking season.

Naulty was just one of many highlights during the day.

The ceremonies opened with teams marching in the field as the squads

represented themselves with banners. The Astros’ T-ball minor team won

for its banner.

Debi Wanbaugh, the league’s president, introduced each team. After,

Royce Friedman, Garrett Deutch, William Evans, Alex Krohnfeldt, James

Wanbaugh, Courtney Ulrich, Austin Elliott and Devon Shanahan came to the

mound, where Debi Wanbaugh stood, and recited the Little League pledge.

Brandon Esping, 10, of the majors division’s Astros, was later awarded

a BMX bicycle for selling the most discount cards for the league.

For the national anthem, Debi Wanbaugh asked a last-second fill-in,

Laura DeSoto, to direct the crowd and sing.

Mayor Pro Tem Linda Dixon was a part of the opening ceremonies as

well.