In 1955, Jim Bainbridge and other volunteers started the Turlock Little League. At the time, there was one league and the games were played at the varsity field at TurlockHigh School.
Sixty years and two divisions later, the Turlock Little League is still going strong. The 60th anniversary kicked off in classic baseball fashion at Julien Field on Saturday, February 28th 2015.
The day started bright and early at 8:30 a.m. as hundreds of siblings, parents, coaches and players gathered outside the field, waiting anxiously for the ceremonies to begin. Being a coach for one of the minor league teams, one of the hardest jobs that day was trying to find 12 energetic kids ranging from ages 8-12 in a giant group of people. Imagine having to find 12 moving needles in a very large haystack.
Nonetheless, everyone eventually got to where they needed to be and the Opening Day was officially underway. Andrew Whitehead, the president of the Turlock American Little League, started things off with an emotional speech, mentioning how the metal benches on the sidelines have been stolen three times in the last two years. But with the incredible help of the volunteers in the community, the field has gotten back to its original form.
After a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem and the introduction of the Board of Directors, the fun had started. Each team had their time in the spotlight. Every player and coach was introduced by name and got to run the bases. Seeing the ceremonies from the stands is one thing, but having the opportunity to experience it on the field is totally different. For many kids, it’s the first time they have ever been on a baseball field. The pure joy on the players’ faces as they rounded home plate was very exciting to watch.
This season is sure to be one to watch. Not only is it a momentous anniversary, but there is so much up and coming talent around the league that each game is guaranteed to be very competitive.
Whitehead stated in a letter, “Best Wishes for the coming season and let’s all work together to make Turlock American Little League a great experience for all our young players. I encourage each one of you to get involved and feel the excitement of Little League Baseball.”