It’s been a whirlwind experience for Ernie Lucero after taking over the reins as league administrator of California District 42 Little League in 2008.
Prior to that, Lucero had served as president of Eastlake Little League for seven years.
“The district administrator at the time, Charlie Martinez, was retiring and asked me if I would consider running for his position in overseeing the nine little leagues in California District 42,” Lucero recalled. “Only the nine presidents of each league vote during the election process.”
He was elected to an initial three-year term. Almost immediately, he found himself thrust into history.
For those who have followed youth baseball in South County, 2009 proved history-making for the district. It was the year that Park View Little League won the Little League World Series championship.
Remember them: the Park View Blue Bombers?
The league continues to make history after sending its fourth team to South Williamsport, Pa.
Lucero was on board when Eastlake Little League advanced to the LLWS championship game in 2013 and recorded a runner-up finish to Japan as United States champion. He was on board again when Sweetwater Valley Little League made its own history-making run to South Williamsport, finishing third among U.S. teams.
“To my knowledge, there is no other city that has accomplished this feat in a span of eight short years,” explained Lucero, who has also seen district champions from Eastlake Little League and Sweetwater Valley Little League advance to the Little League World Series along with this year’s Park View team.
This is the second team from Park View Little League to make the trek to the hallowed fields in Pennsylvania and the district’s fourth team since 2009. While the district’s three other Little League World Series qualifiers each had their own unique make-up, so does this 2016 Park View team.
While others had power hitting and power pitching, the current Park View team can be characterized by its uncanny ability to refuse to lose. It’s a scrappy bunch full of confidence and brotherhood and, of course, talent.
“Throughout the all-star tournament, the Park View team kept all of us at the edge of our seats,” Lucero offered in an understatement. “They came from behind on more than one occasion, which goes to show the level of perseverance this team has.
“They gave the same high level of performance at every game in San Bernardino and prior games leading up to that. They were present, focused and precise. As demonstrated winning the West regional championship title, this team never gives up.”
Lucero, who was recently re-elected to another four-year term as district administrator, noted of tremendous importance for the team has been the great showing of support from the parents, families and friends — all the Park View fans who have cheered loudly and steadily throughout all the games.
“I’ve never seen such level of support coming from the stands,” the district administrator said.
Lucero also was encouraged by the level of support the team received from outside Chula Vista during its games in San Bernardino, particularly its opening and closing games that drew crowds on the order of 10,000 fans.
“It’s heartwarming to see support for our team from all corners of Southern California,” Lucero explained. “The crowd also included residents from throughout the Los Angeles and San Bernardino regions who came to see a fantastic game and cheer on their Southern California team.”
Chula Vista Mayor Mary Casillas Salas was among those in attendance cheering on Park View’s 1-0 victory over Nevada champion Las Vegas Mountain Ridge Little League in last Saturday’s regional championship game.
“It was good to see Mayor Salas cheering alongside our Park View fans,” Lucero said. “We appreciate receiving so much support from our elected city officials, including Mayor Salas and County Supervisor Greg Cox.”
Lucero also gave kudos to the team’s coaching staff.
“The manager Jorge Camarillo and his coaching staff are just amazing,” Lucero noted. “It’s obvious that the entire team holds their leaders in high regard. At every instance, the players listen intently to their manager and coaches, and you can clearly see that the team truly enjoys working with them.”
The Park View parents also have good teamwork going with the coaching staff, according to Lucero.
“All parties, from the Park View board, the coaches, the parents and the team, have a great connection with each other,” Lucero said.
The best of everything was reserved when the final out was recorded in last Saturday’s regional championship game.
“The moment the team won was one filled with tremendous emotion and great disbelief that they had actually made it,” Lucero recounted.
“Little League Baseball was founded to instill leadership, character, courage and loyalty in all who participate. These traits are apparent as Park View continues on the path from district, section, sub-division, division, San Bernardino and now to the final destination of Williamsport.”
The title of district administrator has since become a four-year term. Lucero was recently re-elected to a new term that will run until 2020.
“It really has been a blessing to be involved in Little League and meeting so many people who have become my friends,” Lucero explained. “However, the biggest joy for me are the baseball players, watching them grow up from T-ball to young adults. No matter what profession they chose later in life, they always remember the good times they had playing at their local little league.”
President’s message
Johnny Fuentes’ first term as president of Park View Little League has certainly been a memorable one: the league’s 12U all-star team is set to begin play Friday at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa.
“Words are hard to come by to explain the phenomenal experience we have all witnessed,” Fuentes explained in the wake of Park View’s march through five qualifying tournaments.
“I explained to my board in an email this past weekend: ‘The boys have made so many people happy and proud within our community. Everyone I speak with has something good to say about our league, our community and how we have a good solid coaching system at Park View Little League.’
“As my first year of president I have been able to bring unity and solidarity to an already amazing league. We have learned to brainstorm, work together, try new things and execute. When we come together as we have, great things happen. And I am not only talking about our board, but all of our coaches and volunteers are involved in this process. Communication is the most important tool here.
“This is our second team since 2009 to go to the Little League World Series. Seven years later we are trailing our former champions! While they were structured different than this team, we have the same core values. We teach fundamentals, practice hard and fight to the very end. One thing we teach is that we never give up — ever!
“Instilling that core value in itself makes all the difference in the world. Once these kids understand that how they think is sometimes even more important than how they play, great things begin to happen! It still seems like a dream that these boys are going to the World Series …
“I feel fortunate that I have been part of this. People say that I’m pretty lucky to have experienced this my first year as president — some presidents go years without reaching this point. All is can say is we are very blessed and fortunate to be here.”
Park View Little League
Little League World Series scenario:
Winners bracket
If Park View wins its opener against Midwest Region champion Johnston Little League from suburban Des Moines (Iowa) on Friday, Park View will next play on Sunday (4 p.m. Pacific time/ESPN2) against the Southwest-Great Lakes winner.
If Park View wins on Sunday, Park View would advance to the winners bracket semifinals on Wednesday (4:30 p.m. Pacific times/ESPN).
If Park View were to win on Wednesday, Park View would advance to the United States championship game on Saturday (Aug. 27 at 12:30 p.m. Pacific time on ABC-TV).
If Park View were to win the U.S. championship game, the team would play the International Division champion in the Little League World Series championship game on Sunday (Aug. 28 at noon Pacific time on ABC-TV).
If Park View were to lose the U.S. championship game, the team would play the International Division runner-up in the third-place game on Sunday (Aug. 28 at 7 a.m. Pacific time on ESPN).
Elimination bracket
If Park View loses its opener on Friday against Midwest Region champion Johnston Little League from suburban Des Moines (Iowa), Park View would next play on Saturday (5 p.m. Pacific time/ESPN) against the Southwest-Great Lakes loser.
If Park View loses a potential elimination game on Saturday, Park View would play a consolation game against an international opponent (also 0-2) on Tuesday (8:30 a.m. Pacific time/ESPN).
If Park View were to win on Saturday, it would next play another elimination game on Monday (5 p.m. Pacific time/ESPN). A loss would eliminate Park View from the tournament.
If Park View were to win on Monday, it would play another elimination game on Tuesday (4:30 p.m. Pacific time/ESPN). A loss would eliminate Park View from the tournament.
If Park View were to win on Tuesday, it would play another elimination game (challenger bracket final) on Thursday (4:30 p.m. Pacific time/ESPN). A loss would eliminate Park View from the tournament.
If Park were to win on Thursday, it would advance to the U.S. championship game on Saturday.
Little League World Series
Qualified Teams
(Aug. 18-28/South Williamsport, Pa.)
United States Division
New England Region: Warwick North Little League (Warwick, R.I.)
Mid-Atlantic Region: Maine-Endwell Little League (Endwell, N.Y.)
Midwest Region: Johnston Little League (Johnston, Iowa)
Southeast Region: Goodlettsville Baseball Little League (Goodlettsville, Tenn.)
Great Lakes Region: Bowling Green Eastern Little League (Bowling Green, Ky.)
Southwest Region: McAllister Park American Little League (San Antonio, Texas)
Northwest Region: Bend North Little League (Bend, Ore.)
West Region: Park View Little League (Chula Vista, Calif.)
International Division
Mexico Region: San Nicolas Little League (Nuevo Leon)
Australia Region: Hills Little League (Sydney)
Asia-Pacific Region: East Seoul Little League (Seoul, South Korea)
Caribbean Region: Pariba Little League (Willemstad, Curacao)
Europe-Africa Region: Emilia Little League (Emilia, Italy)
Latin America Region: Aguadulce Cabezera Little League (Aguadulce, Panama)
Japan Region: Chofu Little League (Tokyo)
Canada Region: Hastings Community Little League (Vancouver, British Columbia)
Park View Little League 12U All-Stars Statistical Leaders
(Through 20 games)
Hits
Lucas Marrujo 40; Victor Lizarraga 30; Ali Camarillo 27; Omar Cordero 25; Adriel Colemenero 23; Anthony Soto Jr. 23; Ju Ju Padilla 20; Daniel Leon 14; Luis Guevara 10; Santiago Garcia 10; Adam Amaro 10; Jonluke Hobdy 6; Joshua Bruce 6; Devin Hinojosa 5
Runs Batted In (RBI)
Lucas Marrujo 29; Victor Lizarraga 26; Omar Cordero 25; Adriel Colmenero 23; Ali Camarillo 19; Ju Ju Padilla 18; Santiago Garcia 17; Daniel Leon 12; Anthony Soto Jr. 11; Joshua Bruce 9
Runs scored
Ali Camarillo 34; Lucas Marrujo 31; Victor Lizarraga 24; Omar Cordero 24; Adriel Colmenero 21; Anthony Soto Jr. 20; Ju Ju Padilla 15; Santiago Garcia 14; Daniel Leon 13; Jonluke Hobdy 11; Adam Amaro 9; Luis Guevara 7; Joshua Bruce 5
Home runs
Omar Cordero 10; Lucas Marrujo 9; Victor Lizarraga 8; Daniel Leon 6; Adriel Colmenero 6; Ali Camarillo 5; Ju Ju Padilla 5; Santiago Garcia 4; Adam Amaro 2; Joshua Bruce 2; Anthony Soto Jr. 1; Luis Guevara 1; Devin Hinojosa 1; Jonluke Hobdy 1
Doubles
Lucas Marrujo 9; Anthony Soto Jr. 6; Adriel Colmenero 5; Ali Camarillo 4; Victor Lizarraga 2; Ju Ju Padilla 2; Omar Cordero 1 Santiago Garcia 1; Joshua Bruce 1
Triples
Ali Camarillo 3; Ju Ju Padilla 2; Anthony Soto Jr. 1; Victor Lizarraga 1
Road to the Little League World Series
Park View Little League
Green Machine
District 42 Tournament
•Park View 37, Southwest 0
•Park View 21, Eastlake 2
•Park View 15, Chula Vista American 4
•Chula Vista American 3, Park View 1
•Park View 10, Chula Vista American 4
Section 7 Tournament
•Park View 10, Las Palmas 1
•Park View 17, Imperial 4
•Park View 18, Imperial 7
Southern California Division III-South
Sub-Division Tournament
•Bloomington 4, Park View 2
•Park View 16, La Sierra 2
•Park View 8, San Carlos 5
•Park View 9, Bloomington 5
•Park View 7, Ladera Ranch 0
•Park View 6, Ladera Ranch 5
Southern California Division III Tournament
•Park View 6, Redondo Beach 0
•Park View 11, Redondo Beach 8
West Region Tournament
•Park View 18, Northern California 3 (10 innings)
•Park View 7, Arizona 4
•Park View 14, Hawaii 11
•Park View 1, Nevada 0
LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES
WEST REGION CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT
Sunday, Aug. 7
Hawaii 8, Nevada 0
Southern California 18, Northern California 3 (10 innings)
Monday, Aug. 8
Southern California 7, Arizona 4
Hawaii 5, Utah 2
Tuesday, Aug. 9
Elimination games
Nevada 15, Arizona 4 (5 innings)
Utah 7, Northern California 6
Wednesday, Aug. 10
Elimination game
Nevada 15, Utah 4 (4 innings)
Thursday, Aug. 11
Semifinal (winners bracket)
Southern California 14, Hawaii 11
Friday, Aug. 12
Semifinal (challenger bracket)
Nevada 9, Hawaii 0
Saturday, Aug. 13
Championship game
Southern California 1, Nevada 0
Note: Park View advances to Little League World Series
