El Baja California Sports Update – May, 2011

admin — Mon, 16 May 2011 10:02:18 +0000

It’s been an exciting month here in the communities of Maneadero, Chapultepec and Ensenada. The Liga Rural de Softball Femenil de Maneadero (Women’s Softball League) has continued its summer season with a number of enjoyable games.
One game I watched was played by the Baja California Team (13-15 year-olds). The coach of the Mexicali team, who won the championship of all Baja California in 2010, put this all-star team together, selecting players from Maneadero, Ensenada, Mexicali and Tijuana. They took another step closer to their dream of playing in the Olympic trials to be held in Mexico City when they won against another team of all-stars from Maneadero. It was an exciting game with some great pitching, which brought the Baja California Team to an 8 to 5 victory. Their next stop is the finals in Cancun. I’ll keep you posted as to how they do.
I have met some other interesting people in the Women’s League this month. There is a woman named Maria Lupita Salas, 52 years old, who started the first women’s softball league in Maneadero in 1979, and served as president of the league for thirty years. She played competitive softball until the age of 50 when she had to retire due to an injury. I would like to give Kudos to her for her gumption in starting and running the league for so many years.
I also met the president of La Liga de Beisbol Infantil y Juvenil de Maneadero, Manuel Prieto Alcala, also known as “Chicken”. I just had to ask Manuel how he got such an unusual nickname, so he told me the story. When he was ten years old he was a shoeshine boy (I can relate to that, as I also shined shoes as a kid). One day, after leaving his job in Ensenada, he was late getting to school in Maneadero, where he was born and still resides. When he got to school, he ran into the bathroom to clean up. He washed his face but apparently forgot to comb his hair, which was standing up like a cock’s comb. When he got to class the teacher told him, in English, “You look like a fighting chicken!” All of his classmates found this hilarious and began calling him Chicken. Despite the fact that Manuel is now an adult and a respected member of the community in Maneadero, he will forever be known as Chicken.
On May 1st I went to a softball game in Maneadero, played between the Pumas and the Panteras. In the last inning the game was tied. In the extra inning, the Pumas pulled ahead but the Panteras tied it again. This pattern continued through two more extra innings before the Panteras finally won the day. It was an exciting, hard-fought game. The girls played with a lot of heart, even sliding into bases despite the fact that they were wearing shorts.
I was especially impressed by a pitcher from the Panteras named Sady Lopez who throws a pitch with an average speed of 56 mph. She just got back from Guatemala where she played for a national team, batting 311 and playing first base. You have to come out and see this girl pitch; it is really something. She is currently in Cancun, playing in the finals with the Baja California Team.
I also witnessed another unusual talent. A woman named Claudia Medina of the Capri Team throws underarm due to an old shoulder injury. Using a technique she’s developed out of necessity, she can fire the softball all the way from center field to home plate with amazing accuracy. The coach of the other team, who wanted to classify her as another pitcher on the field, did not appreciate this skill! After the coaches argued their case, the umpire ruled in favor of the crack-shot, underarm outfielder.
Running season is now also underway in Baja California. I met some interesting people at a 6K race on May 1st in Naranjo. One young Japanese woman, Takako Sugiyama, studies here in Baja at UABC. She dedicated her run to her country. She had printed on her shirt “Run for Japan” in order to show her support for the people who have suffered so much after to the earthquake and tsunami.
I also met the winner of that 6K race, Juan Pablo Vite, who completed the race in 21 minutes, 31 seconds. This is an excellent time, especially considering that it was a very windy day, and a good portion of the race was run on the beach. Also impressive is the fact that Vite is 32 years old and has only been running for five years. He ran the San Diego marathon last year in 2 hours, 40 minutes, also an excellent time. Vite is currently training for the X Medio Marathon International Ensenada, which will be held on May 8, 2011. The organizers are expecting over 700 runners. There is a rumor that Akily Sayada, a champion marathon runner from Kenya, will also participate in this event. This race will be filmed and shown on Varivision Canal Ocho.
I want to extend an invitation to all of you to attend these sports events. They are enjoyable, inexpensive, and a great opportunity to meet and interact with the friendly people of this community, as I have.
They say that if you enjoy the work you do, you never work a day in your life, and with that I say adios until next time.

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El Baja California Sports Update – May, 2011