Local Little League winter teams have success

The Laguna Beach Little League Juniors winter ball team continued its winning ways on Nov. 9 by overcoming gusty winds and chilly temperatures to edge Laguna Hills, 12-11, at Alta Laguna Park.

Laguna Beach fell behind quickly as Laguna Hills bolted to a 4-0 lead in the first inning. But Laguna Beach came back to post a big third inning, getting five runs off four walks, a long single to center field by Blake Hester and a bases-clearing triple by Harrison Williams.

Laguna Beach added another five runs in the fourth inning by combining singles by Nick Channels, Morgan Lebby, Garrett Burk and Kaito Lee and aggressive base-running and a few walks with throwing errors by Laguna Hills. Laguna Beach scored twice more in the fifth behind the hitting of Zach Graf, Camron Hauer and Adam Rodner.

Joe Redfearn, Kristian Rieckhoff, Kurt Rebone, Zack Kluver and Sam Wogulis also contributed to Laguna Beach’s success.

Laguna Beach Little League’s AA, AAA and Majors winter ball teams also enjoyed successful seasons under the direction of managers Nick Pivaroff, Tory Thomas, Bob Bonn, David Bacino, Andy Hauer, Steve Sweet and Dan McInerny. The league enjoyed record winter ball enrollment this year. Players worked on their skills through instruction by the Laguna Beach High baseball staff. Laguna teams played against squads from Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Saddleback and Aliso Viejo during winter ball play.

Laguna Beach Little League is still accepting online registration until Jan. 2009 through the website, www.beachbaseball.com. In addition, the umpire/manager/coach clinic will be held at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at the Laguna Beach High baseball field.

For more information contact, Jennifer Sweet at www.beachbaseball.com.

— Mike Sciacca