In games where the scores were immaterial and pitching, batting and fielding statistics were irrelevant, Culver City Little League baseball players challenged teams from the Avalon Kids Baseball League this past month in a “home and home” series that forged bonds to last a lifetime.
The Culver City Travel Baseball group recently returned after playing games and enjoying barbecues in Catalina, just a few weeks after Avalon sent teams of 9-10-, 11-12- and 13-14-year-olds to the mainland for games and festivities in Culver City.
After games were recently completed in Catalina, Avalon league hosted a large barbecue for all players and families, which lasted until sundown. Some 20 children from the Avalon league joined the Culver City youngsters after the barbecue at the hotel pool, forging many new friendships, according to event organizer Scott Garland.
“I started this so that the kids who were stuck playing just a few innings a game, usually in the outfield with one at bat, could have a chance to play infield, pitch, catch and have just as many at-bats as everyone else,” said Garland, a long-time coach and administrator of the Culver City Little League.
Garland involves coaches and parents who agree with his philosophy to allow the children to “do their thing” without any conflicts and pressure from demanding coaches or parents.
“Let them play. The key word here is ‘play,’” said Garland.
Teams played on the Little League fields at Culver City Park last month to start the fun series. Culver City families hosted barbecues both days, attracting nearly 200 people from both communities.
“This is much more than a baseball weekend. It’s about the camaraderie, friendships and the mutual respect that has been forged among the people of Culver City and Avalon,” he said.
Garland contacted Avalon officials eight years ago to renew an exchange held 30 years after his father took a Culver City Little League major team to Catalina for a weekend series.
He said he does not remember the outcome of those games but has vivid memories of the wonderful time he shared with teammates and families, interacting with the youth and parents from Avalon.
“The scores of the games were of least importance. The fun time playing this kid’s game at a beautiful place like Avalon and meeting new friends was what made the experience priceless,” he said.
After numerous calls to Little League officials and delays due to a major fire on the island, which made travel and play impossible and torrential rains, which caused huge mudslides that damaged both of the playing fields, the series began three years ago.
Assisting Garland with the coordination of the series are his wife, Antonia, Diana and George Aceves, Shannon Bradley, Dave Wulf, Thea Savino, Karen Weiner, Rosemary Shulman and Sherman “the chef.”
Vince Capa, Scott Elliott and Paul Casillas coached the 9-10-year-olds in this past meeting of the island and mainland squads. George Aceves, Joe Calo and Scott Zeidman mentored the 11-12-year-olds. Juan Gamez, Louis Ortega and Wulf managed the 13-14-year-olds.
“I have a vivid picture in my head of one of our players this year pitching in his first game ever, completing the entire inning and walking off the field with a huge, wide smile as if he was 10 feet tall. To me, that is what this is all about,” Garland said.
