The young people of San Marino and Southern California received some rare and hard-earned good news last week.
“We’re one step closer to a somewhat normal season,” Daisy Wilson, San Marino National Little League president, announced on Feb. 4.
“As anticipated, things are changing daily,” Wilson continued, referring to an announcement from Dr. Barbara Ferrer, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health that lifted the restriction of outside organizations not being able to use outdoor school facilities.
SMNLL is one of the community’s most popular activities for young people and had approximately 400 registrants last year. Since the state and county mandate still restricts the playing of actual games, SMNLL will for the time being be limited to practices and skills clinics. Wilson targeted the end of February for the league to announce a schedule and possibly be able to play actual games.
San Marino’s popular opening day ceremony was held on Feb. 22, 2020, but local softball and baseball play was halted on March 13 when the coronavirus pandemic overwhelmed all public gatherings. Wilson was asked to continue her term as president of SMNLL when play resumes.
“I have aged five years,” Wilson quipped, a comment that is quite understandable considering she and husband, Jon, have four boys between the ages of 7 and 14. All four — Cooper, Parker, J.J. and Miller — will be back in uniform when their mom gets the call to “Play Ball.”
When she learned the good news, Wilson immediately launched into discussions with officials from Pasadena American Little League and Pasadena Southwest Little League to maximize opportunities for the young athletes.
“Everybody was coming together and helping us out,” Wilson said. “They are our biggest rivals for all-stars and they were willing to give us space in their leagues.”
San Marino had over 150 players sign up in the Pasadena leagues for an opportunity to play this spring. Ferrer’s announcement brought San Marino’s fields back into play. Wilson said SMNLL will skip the evaluation process and begin building teams as soon as possible. Players will begin assembling in cohorts for practices and skill training with games to follow.
“We’re shooting to start by the end of the month,” Wilson said.
Plans for an opening day ceremony will follow soon, but families are invited to register immediately at smnll.org.
“Let the games begin,” Wilson said, continuing the positive attitude she launched almost a year ago.
