Foothills Sentry July 2024

Foothills Sentry Page 16 JULY 2024 COMMUNITY SPORTS BY CLIFF ROBBINS AND CHAD CLINE OC Crush Baseball is crush’n It By Stephanie Tilhof Former Major League Baseball player and Orange resident Dan- ny Espinosa Jr. decided to restart a local nonprofit youth baseball organization because he thought it would be a good place for his two sons, Ty and Levi, to play. Fast forward 18 months, and OC Crush Baseball has grown from a single team to seven teams with four coaches and 77 players. “The reason I did this, is be- cause of the impact baseball had on my life,” said Espinosa. “It is an opportunity for me to be on the field.” Espinosa was drafted in 2008 by the Washington Na- tionals, where he was named Na- tional League Player of the Week in 2016 after hitting five home runs, and 17 RBIs in seven days. He also had short stints with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays and the Angels. Before retiring, Es- pinosa represented the Mexican National team in the 2020 Olym- pics. “To be in the big leagues is tough,” said Espinosa. “I want the kids to learn a strong work ethic. You can’t expect things. We teach The teams and their coach gather for the annual group shot. Coach J (Johnny Johnson) is in white, in the rear. Jerry Herrera and Jesus Velasquez, in blue, came in second to doubles winners Peter Ramierz and Andrew Hernadez, at the wall, from Orange High. Singles winner Michael Herrera Athletes burn up the handball courts in first official league play The Annual Knox/Barrera Handball Challenge/District Fi- nals has grown from a friendly competition to official league play, thanks to the efforts of Commissioner Johnny Johnson. A retired coach, Johnson has continued to single-handedly co- ordinate the tournament, named in honor of past supporters Fred Barrera and Jeri Knox. He has also worked hard to form a handball league in the Orange Unified School District, with teams, funding and coach- es: Andrew Luna at El Modena, Maritza Hernandez at Richland, Luis Castaneda-Martinez at Or- ange High, and Andrew Reyes at Villa Park. Handball requires little equip- ment – a ball and a wall – and can readily be played without expensive equipment, uniforms or fields. Referees are not needed, as players are respectful of one an- other and where the ball lies. Johnson began teaching the sport at OUSD middle schools, encouraging teamwork and re- spect, and has watched many of the players compete in the an- nual tournament. This year, teams from Rich- land, El Modena and Villa Park were bused to Orange High for an opening breakfast with guest speaker Gilbert Granado, direc- tor of the Santa Ana Handball Club, who spoke on a “Winning Mentality” on the court and in life. Coach Johnson spoke about the district’s focus on grades and attendance. The entire Richland handball team was congratulated for its commitment to handball and members' increased atten- dance. Every player received a tournament T-shirt. Lunch, courtesy of Knox In- surance, was followed by intense singles competition play in the single elimination tournament. At one juncture, cousins – one from Orange High and one from Villa Park – were pitted against one another. In the end, Michael Herrera of Orange High defeated Alex Campos from Villa Park, 8 to 6, to become the 2024 singles win- ner. In the doubles competition, Orange High's Peter Ramirez and Andrew Hernandez defeated VPHS's Jesus Velasquez and Jer- ry Herrera, 8 to 7. Winners were awarded hoodies and gift cards from McDonalds. them responsibility.” Parents with kids playing in the organization agree. They say the experience has been very differ- ent than Little League. “It’s an- other level. The kids push them- selves. It’s more of a community. They’re making friendships,” said parent Alicia Peterson. “I think it’s valuable. They’re de- veloping quicker,” added parent Ly Chagollan. Those skills are already paying off as OC Crush has been racking up its share of wins. Ryan Yow- ell, who re-started the organiza- tion with Espinosa, says in June, their team of 7-year-olds won the 2024 USSSA Frozen Fury OC. The 8-year-olds notched vic- tory in the 11th Annual NCS San Diego Memorial Day Classic. Their team of 9-year-olds won the USSSA World Series Warm- With high school athletics off the field for the summer, Sports Editor Cliff Robbins took this month off. He will return in August. Former big-leaguer Danny Es- pinosa Jr., of Orange Park Acres bats balls for fielding practice. Levi Espinosa prepares for the catch. Up Tournament and the USSSA 2024 May Showdown, while the 11-year-olds took the Irvine Me- morial Day Tournament. Yowell expects they will add five more teams in the fall, for a total of 132 kids. He was sur- prised they had such a phenom- enal response. While it’s a lot of work, he’s inspired by the cama- raderie. “When I see the 9-year- olds cheering on the 7-year-olds, and the 11-year-olds playing wif- fle ball with the 10-year-olds,” said Yowell, “I feel like we are building something special for the community.” In July, four of the teams will play in the National Champion- ship Sports Series. The organiza- tion also offers a scholarship for a player in need at its an annual summer camp. For more informa- tion, see occrushbaseball.com .