Chinle baseball league kicks off Saturday
By Manuel Jesus
Special to the Times
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The 2008 Chinle Youth Baseball League will kick off the season this Saturday at Chinle High with an opening day celebration beginning at 10 a.m.
The celebration will feature an introduction of the 15 teams that have registered for this season in four age divisions.
Richard Sepulveda, CYBL president, couldn't wait for opening day as he prepared for the league's final meeting.
"It's been crazy around here. It's official and we got 15 teams registered," said Sepulveda on Monday night. "We have teams from Ganado, Kayenta, Low Mountain and Rough Rock. Its all coming together really well. We're really blessed."
Sepulveda said that the four age divisions will be Roberto Clemente T-Ball league (8-and under), Willie Mays (10-and under), Pee Wee Reese (12-and under) and Mickey Mantle (14-and under).
The divisions will be sanctioned by the American Amateur Baseball Congress, which oversees all youth baseball leagues that register with the association.
According to Sepulveda, opening day will feature a parade, posting of the flags, T-shirt giveaways and a barbeque.
Guest speaker Felix Tso, with the Chinle Fire Department, will throw out the traditional first pitch.
"He was my first pick. He served for the fire department for 15 years. He dedicated his life and making the ultimate sacrifice as a fireman," said Sepulveda.
Sepulveda, who is originally from Los Angeles, said he has two kids on a team and the baseball league will allow them and other kids to keep busy during the summer.
"I started the Chinle Dodgers last year and they had no place to play," he said. "I knew this (CYBL) could work. Many young kids make negative decisions.
"Not everybody wants to play basketball or just want to run," he said. "They want something else to do. This is not just for only one year, but for a long time."
He also noted that the CYBL teams will play against teams from the Navajo Capital Youth Baseball League and the Shiprock league throughout the summer.
"Yes," he said, "we'll be able to play each other and we'll be able to help each other. I'm going to be there when NCYBL has their opening day."
In Shiprock, opening day is also scheduled Saturday, that according to league President Charlie Jones.
Jones said that the league is having problems registering kids because of the elementary school basketball leagues.
Jones said only the T-ball league has five teams, while the Roberto Clemente, Willie Mays and Pee Wee Reese divisions have only three coaches and there are only enough registered players to fill two teams each in each division.
He also noted that the AABC allows four teams to fill each division and that the teams would be eligible for any postseason tournaments. Jones said teams, players and coaches need to register before the April 30 deadline.
Jones said that his solution was to work with the Kirtland youth baseball league so that many of those playing in the Kirtland league could also register in the Shiprock baseball league, up until the season ends and then both leagues would consider all-star teams during the state tournament.
He said that he would also play the other two leagues on the Navajo Nation to get the necessary six official games to qualify for the state tournament.