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Brendi Rawlin, 619-687-7013 (office) 619-549-3066 (mobile)
Homerun for Sweetwater!
Sweetwater Valley Little League Celebrates Opening Day and New, State-of-the-Art Ball Fields
(San Diego, Calif. - Saturday, March 25, 2006) - The Sweetwater Valley Little League will get some major league treatment today, as it kicks off the 2006 season in its new, six-field, state-of-the-art athletic complex in Bonita.
The highlight of the celebration was the presentation of Little League jerseys to County Supervisor Greg Cox and South Bay Expressway CEO Greg Hulsizer. Supervisor Cox threw out the first pitch, as the Hilltop High School Band accompanied the crowd in a rendition of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame."
"Tony Gwynn often says, 'there's no substitute for hard work,'" said County Supervisor Greg Cox. "Today, a lot of hard work is finally paying off for South County kids who will enjoy these spectacular fields for decades to come."
"I am ecstatic to provide our new generation of Little League players the experience of playing baseball on such a great venue," said Tony Perez, president of the Sweetwater Valley Little League. "As a parent whose children have gone through this league, I have seen the transformation of these fields from a worn down facility to the gem we see here today."
At a cost of more than $7 million, the new Little League complex is part of a $32 million community benefits package provided by South Bay Expressway, in partnership with Caltrans and the San Diego Association of Governments.
While the league played out its opening day games, the crowd of parents, kids, elected officials and VIPs enjoyed hotdogs and activities, including a 30-foot-tall rock climbing wall.
"This is an exciting day for all of us at South Bay Expressway," said Greg Hulsizer, CEO of South Bay Expressway. "We are committed to being an active community partner and we're thrilled to present the Sweetwater Little League with these state-of-the-art ball fields and facilities. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the community for decades to come."
Opening day attendees included Congressman Bob Filner, Senator Denise Ducheny, Assemblymember Shirley Horton, Caltrans Director Pedro Orso-Delgado, SANDAG Executive Director Gary Gallegos, and retired Padre player [TBD}
About Sweetwater Valley Little League
Sweetwater Valley Little League is a non-profit organization that was first chartered by Little League International in 1960, it is currently a league member of District 42; which serves the South Bay. Over the many years it has provided a place to help the many local little leaguers a place to learn the fundamentals of baseball, sportsmanship and teamwork. Some of the notable kids to have played at Sweetwater Valley Little League include Mark Pryor, Chicago Cubs, Adrian Gonzalez, San Diego Padres Alex Smith, San Francisco 49'ers. "Where tomorrow's leaders, play today"
