On Thursday, July 16th Fillmore Girls Softball 14 & under All-Star team headed down to San Diego to compete in the California State Games Junior Olympic competition.

On Friday afternoon the girls had their first game against Aliso Viejo. Aliso scored first in the top of the third with one run. Paula Laureano crossed the plate for Fillmores first run of the game tying it up in the bottom of the sixth inning. The girls played solid defense in the seventh holding Aliso to no runs. Jaynessa Lopez starting off the seventh inning with a single followed by Reina Magana. Marissa Vasquez walked to load the bases. With time expired Kaylee Hinklin stepped up to the plate and took her base bringing in the winning run. Friday evening the players, coaches, and all the great Fillmore fans would travel to Qualcomm stadium for opening ceremonies.

On Saturday morning, Fillmore played against San Juan Capistrano. Chellie Arreguin scored the first run in the top of the first inning with the help of Amanda Vassaur and Jaynessa Lopez. SJC came back with force scoring 5 runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Fillmore came back in the fifth, Karinna Carrillo started off with a walk followed by Arreguin and Amber Magana. Vassaur singled, bringing in two runs. Lopez and Reina Magana both walked bringing A. Magana across the plate to close the gap 5 - 4. SJC would score again in the bottom of the fifth inning winning the game 6-4 dropping Fillmore to the losers bracket. CONTINUED »

Santa Paula: Front Row L – R: Rebecca Reeder, Maria Goyette, Emilio Juaquin, Taylor Wreesman, Peter Goyette, Garrett Newman, Samuel Bagdazian, John Collins, Lesley Veloz, Audrey Goodrich. 2nd Row L-R: Miriam Collins, Robert Goyette, Frank Coughlin, Janine DeJarnette, Simone Kelly, Melissa Gwynn, Dominic Cain, Xavier Bagdazian, Felipe Alba. 3rd Row L-R: Emily Rocksvold, Allisen Hansen, Jane Forsyth, Sophia Collins, Cecilia Goyette, Jean Collins, Anastasia Letteney. 4th Row L-r: Dominic Couglin, Anthony Letteney, Paul Collins, Thomas Kelly, John Pettit, Nicholas Rocksvold, Michael Forsyth, Thomas Becher.
Enlarge Photo

Fillmore & Santa Paula youth swimming for the Heritage Valley Aquatics Swim Team brought home lots of ribbons July 11th. Participants ranging in ages from 7 to 16 participated in events at Oaks Christian High School in Agoura.

Results: Girls 10 and under: Keegan Reeder: 25 backstroke 29:16, 25 freestyle 28:16; Rebecca Reeder 50 backstroke 1:17.53, 50 breaststroke 1:32.87, 50 IM 2:42.04,50 freestyle 1:10.02; Taylor Wreesman: 50 backstroke 52:84, 50 breaststroke 1:00.62, 100 I M 1:59.57, 50 freestyle 47.14. Boys 11 and over: Kyle Popp: 50 backstroke 53.76, 30 breast stroke 48.64, 100 IM 1:50.97, 50 freestyle 46.76
Girls 11 and over: Audrey Goodrich: 50 backstroke 1:06.81, 50 breaststroke 1:15.50, 100 IM 2:35.96, 50 butterfly 1:13.43; Simone Kelly: 50 backstroke 46.44 50 breaststroke 46.05, 100 IM 1:43.23, 50 freestyle 42.06; Lesley Veloz: 50 backstroke 52.01, 100 IM 2:06.31, 50 freestyle 47.19, 50 butterfly 58.77; Hannah Wishart: 50 backstroke 53.60, 50 freestyle 46.47, 50 butterfly 56.12
Girls 13-14: Janine DeJarnette: 50 backstroke 54.50, 100 IM 2:02.41, 50 freestyle 40.49, 50 butterfly 59.60; Tori Neal: 50 backstroke 1:14.15, 50 breaststroke 1:12.18, 50 freestyle 55:05; Destiny Toyooka: 50 backstroke 42.41, 50 freestyle 37.79, 50 butterfly 45.28
Boys 15 and up: Dominic Coughlin: 50 backstroke 41.58, 50 breaststroke 42.68, 100 IM 1:24.92, 50 freestyle 31.70; Thomas Kelly: 50 backstroke 37.60, 50 breaststroke 37.41, 100 IM 1:15.85, 50 butterfly 33.72
Girls 15 and up: Melissa Gwynn: 50 backstroke 45.46, 50 breaststroke 43.53, 100 IM 1:29.56, 50 butterfly 40.49; Roxie Neal: 50 backstroke 50.26, 50 breaststroke 57.94, 50 freestyle 43.60.
Congratulations to all participants!

The Fillmore HVA swim team will also be participating in the dedication of the Neil Schmidt Community Pool on Saturday, July 25 from 10 am – Noon. Please come down and give your support this wonderful community project.
For information relating to the HVA Team contact: Cindy Blatt (Fillmore): cindy@swimmingblatts.net Or Sheryl Barnd (Santa Paula): Sheryl.barnd@live.com

Piru’s “One River Stadium”, located in Warring Park, was again the focal point for baseball fever as the three-day 25th Annual Piru Softball Tournament drew crowds of players and fans for this yearly event. Just cooling off from the successful Piru Youth Sports Baseball Inaugural Season, which attracted 115 boys and girls for the return of organized baseball in this Heritage Valley town, “One River Stadium” came alive with softballs heading over the fence toward Piru Creek and others that were fair, foul or too hot to handle. And we’re not just talking about the triple-digit heat these guys played under!

This year’s tournament featured local ball players from the tri-cities of Piru, Fillmore and Santa Paula as well as other Ventura County towns. A regional competition, Santa Clarita and San Fernando Valley ball players also stepped to the plate. Competition for this 12-team tournament kicked off Friday night and continued Saturday and Sunday. Congratulations go out to this year’s Champs: 1st Place-Wong’s, followed by Dixon’s, Tea Bags and Havoc in order of finishing. Piru’s teams played under the names of Brewers, Too Nuttz and Young & Old and are recognized for their efforts.

The Piru Parks Commission organizes this annual tournament. A hard-working group, they not only organize this competition but volunteer for long days to make sure it continues to be a success for the community and region. This includes Danny Ramirez and his crew preparing the field and park facilities, then pitching in to do his best Vin Scully role as play-by-play announcer. Behind the home plate announcement booth, commissioners Lorraine Beserra and Yvonne Alverdi make sure the “hydration station” offerings are controlled and available, while commemorative t-shirts and hats were for sale with the assistance of Tina Alverdi. CONTINUED »

Enlarge Photo

Congratulations to the Fillmore Little League 12u All-stars. #1 Ryan Riberdy, #2 Gerardo Rodriguez, #3 Steven Rodriguez, #4 Joseph Magana, #6 Emilio Hernandez, #7 Albert Cantero, #9 Tyler Esquivel, #13 Danny Quintero, #24 Damien Gonzalez, #31 Austin Whittaker, #38 Michael Luna, #42 Jonah Ybarra. The Fillmore Boys played a tough tournament with close losses to Dos Pueblos, Ventura Coastal and Saticoy. They did manage a victory over Montalvo on a great rally in the bottom of the sixth inning. Singles by Danny Quintero &, Austin Whittaker, and a double by Tyler Esquivel were capped off by a two run walk off home-run by Steven Rodriguez, giving him two for the game, and a total of three in the tournament, to seal the victory for the Fillmore All-stars.

U-14 AYSO Allstars Took 2nd place in back to back tournaments. The boys participated in two consecutive tournaments. In the Mission Classic in Granada Hills. They advanced to the championship game. In a very close game Fillmore lost 1-0 to Newbury Park.

The following week in the North Valley Classic the boys did just as good. In pool play, they beat Ventura, North Valley and Newbury Park, to advance to the championship game. In 105 degree weather both teams battled to a 0-0 tie. The game continued into double overtime still 0-0. North Oxnard won 4-3 in penalty kicks, to win the title.

The boys would like to than Linda gerardy, Greg Aguilar, Alfonso Romero and Elios Valenzuela for helping referee and registration. Also, a huge thanks to Rick Montano for helping sponsor the last tournament.

Rebeca Isabel was a three sport athlete at FHS where she participated in girl’s basketball, volleyball and track and field. She received numerous awards throughout her high school years. She was captain and MVP of the girls’ basketball team in 2008- 2009. This year she was selected All-CIF Division IV-A first team girl’s basketball. First team All-Tri-Valley League. First Team All-County Academic and first team All-County for girls’ basketball.
She maintained a 4.32 GPA in high school and graduated as a valedictorian. Beka is an active member in the community. She has organized and performed in four benefit concerts that collectively raised over $60,000 for various school and community service clubs. She is also team captain for her Relay for Life, where she raised more that $5,000 for the American Cancer Society last year. She was FHS female athlete of the year and was awarded the Ventura County Sports Hall of Fame Founder’s Scholarship. Rebeca Isabel will attend UCLA this fall.

It’s that time of year again for the 2009 Flashes Football Program. We are in the process of getting the program put together. We want to have the program finished in time for our first home game. We would like to thank all of you who have supported us in the past and hope that you will continue. This year the program will be reduced in size, so there is limited space for ads. If you would like to support the Athletic Boosters Club and have your ad/business card placed in the program please contact Susan Golson 805-216-4013. Thank you

10 and Under Filmore Dodgers came in first place here in the Fillmore Little League.The team was chosen to go to the play-offs and there they battled against Santa Paula Blue Jays 11-5 in the championship play-offs game to take third place in Saticoy on June 20. Pictured above are Manager/Coach Aric Diaz,Coach Kevin Richardson,Michael Richardson,Darian Delgadillo,Jose Avila,Tatem Frosberg,Steven Juarez,Chris Castro,Aric Diaz,Anthony Aguilera,Joe Joe Vaca,Diego Garcia,Joey Zepeda,and Saul Santa Rosa.Not pictured in the photo above is Coach Danny Aguilera.Si Se PUEDE!!!!!GO DODGERS!!!!!

Enlarge Photo

Enlarge Photo

Enlarge Photo

Enlarge Photo

Enlarge Photo

These past few weeks Piru’s Warring Park, or “One River Stadium”, has embraced the return of youth baseball as young boys and girls return to the field to enjoy t-ball and youth baseball. With over 100 youth stepping to the plate, they have been overwhelmingly supported by their coaches, organizers and community. This response reflects the historic tradition of baseball in this family-oriented community.

Thanks to volunteers working as Piru Youth Sports, monies have been raised from various businesses, clubs and organizations to re-introduce baseball at an affordable level for local families. With seed money from a dormant organization, contributions have come from Fillmore-Piru Citrus Association, Piru Neighborhood Council, Rancho Temescal, the Carnales Motorcycle Club, Ventura County Parks, Piru Parks Commission, and Fillmore Little League.

Just off the field from her late morning game, Coach Debbie Chessani commented’ “I think it’s lots of fun. They are all learning, having fun, and working as a team.” All fans enjoying these Saturday games shared these sentiments. Chessani added, “Everyone is a Ten in T-Ball.”

In support of this effort, organizers have re-opened the park’s Snack Bar. Under the direction of longtime Piru businessman Jim Sanchez, they are proud to offer a wide assortment of snacks, jumbo bubble gum packs, early morning coffee, donuts and cold drinks. They then start the grill to offer burgers, chilidogs and take me out to the park hot dogs. The snack bar is open during Wednesday and Saturday games.

Enjoying some of the items from the snack bar was player Colby Walsh, preparing for his afternoon game while enjoying a Frito boat. This nine-year member of the Piru Cardinals tells me, “It’s fun. And its neat having baseball in Piru and better than having to go to Fillmore for games.” His dad “Spanky” agreed, and added, “It gives the kids something positive to do and a great way to start our summer. Keeps them active and outdoors, away from their video games.”

Also spotted enjoying the games was 91-year old Manuel Pillado. He started the original Piru baseball back in 1954. His “Barbers” competed with teams sponsored by other local businesses including Murphy’s, D&A Texaco and Lechler’s. Reflecting on his early days and working with Manuel “Sleepy” Martinez as organizers, he says, “Look at that. Best thing about it is I’m here getting to watch it.”

Games during this inaugural 2009 season will be held on Wednesday’s beginning at 5:30 p.m. and Saturday’s at 8:30 a.m. The season wraps up on July 11, 2009.

For more information or to lend support to this team effort, contact “Commissioner” JoAnn Torres at 805-521-0763 or e-mail to piruyouthsports@gmail.com

On this foggy Saturday morning, just after 6 a.m. a handful of community volunteers applied the finishing touches to “One River Stadium” at Warring Park in Piru. They began by chalking the infield in preparation of the first day of the long-awaited baseball season in Piru. This sport has not been organized in Piru for some years, but organizers say they now have 115 boys and girls signed up for T-ball and youth baseball.

This overwhelming response reflects the historic tradition of baseball in this family-oriented community. And, thanks to volunteers working as Piru Youth Sports, monies have been raised from various businesses, clubs and organizations to re-introduce baseball at an affordable level for local families. With seed money from a dormant organization, and major contributions from Fillmore-Piru Citrus Association, Piru Neighborhood Council, Rancho Temescal and the Carnales Motorcycle Club, entry fees for this 2009 Season were only $25 per child.

Preparations began in February as organizers recruited to fill team rosters. Not sure at first what the response would be, sign-ups have resulted in four t-ball teams and four youth baseball teams. By mid-April, over 100 youth had signed on and it was time to “play ball”. These volunteers have also been working tirelessly on bringing Warring Park baseball diamond and field up to a higher standard. CONTINUED »