| | |  News from Around Banderas Bay | April 2009 
Puerto Vallarta Little League All Stars Compete in Guadalajara
 Bob Cohen - PVNN
| | The 15 kids along with league president Miguel Vargas that made up the Puerto Vallarta 15-16 year old All Star team. | |
Last Friday afternoon a group of 15 and 16 years olds selected to participate in the Category 15-16 Little League All Stars in the Jalisco division left on a bus supplied by the city to travel to Guadalajara. Coaches and some parents accompanied the kids as well as League President Miguel Vargas and associate Oscar Mercado.
| | The Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara All Star teams recite the Little League offical creed prior to their Sunday game. | 
| | The teams showing Little league spirit congratulating and shaking hands after the game. |
The goal was to be the winner or finalist in the division and then move to the Regional round that will be held in Saltillo, Coahuila. The team was a big underdog, as Little League is new to Puerto Vallarta and this hand selected team of 15 has only played together for two months. They went into Guadalajara facing teams that have had Little League for numerous years but still left determined for weekend action.
The tournament was a double elimination event, meaning that a loss still kept the team alive until they incurred their second loss, which would knock them out of the competition. A victory in one of Saturday's two games ensured a spot in Sunday's two final games; the winner of each would go to the Regionals. The heavy favorite was the Guadalajara team which was the co-champion of Mexico last year.
The teams that competed were:
Puerto Vallarta
Legion Americana (Zapopan)
Arandas
Tlaquepaque
Guadalajara
Saturday's first game pitted our Puerto Vallarta team against Legion Americana and the Vallarta all stars played well but lost 7-3 which placed them in the loser's bracket. Arandas defeated Tlaquepaque in a wild offensive game 14-11. Guadalajara, with strong pitching defeated Arandas 7-2 to conclude the early Saturday action.
The second Saturday game had Puerto Vallarta and Tlaquepague facing each other with the loser facing elimination. The PV All Stars jumped out to a big lead and the pitching was strong. A big 4th inning gave them a 14-4 lead and according to official Little League rules, it is considered a knockout or "mercy rule" when a team leads by 10 or more runs and the game ends at that point. The All Stars had another day and just a victory away from reaching the Regionals. Tlaquepague was eliminated. The other game had Guadalajara completely dominate Legion Americana with a 7-0 shutout as Sunday's slate was set.
| For donations, sponsorships and further information we urge you to contact:
• Bob Cohen at bob(at)banderasnews.com
• Miguel Vargas at tacos.park(at)hotmail.com
• Oscar Mercado at mercadooscar(at)hotmail.com
|
With the bad luck of the draw, the Puerto Vallarta All Stars had to face the powerful Guadalajara team and played superb baseball through three innings and actually led 3-2 after the 3rd. Then the pitching short PV squad ran into trouble and Guadalajara filled the bases with walks and hits and scored 11 runs in the 4th inning to take a 13-3 lead, which gave them the victory via the "mercy rule" and a 10 run lead. The other contest had Legion Americana defeat Arandas 7-0, so both Guadalajara and the team from Zapopan earned their pass to the Regionals.
In speaking with Miguel Vargas, the Little League president upon his return, he stated that the kids played great and he was so proud of the team. "They only played together for two months and they were just three innings away from advancing to the Regionals. I am so proud of the kids for playing competitive baseball with teams that have been in existence for many years", stated Vargas.
The teams that reach the next level will play in the Nationals which will be held in Puebla. The best team out of that tournament will play for the Little League 15-16 year old World Championship. The championships are believed to be played in Puerto Rico, but still not confirmed.
We extend our congratulations to our 15 and 16 year old All Star team from Puerto Vallarta for going on the road and assuring the Jalisco teams that the team will be tougher next season.
Your support provides endless benefits for Banderas Bay area kids, who will develop the qualities of citizenship, discipline, teamwork and physical well-being by participating in Puerto Vallarta Little League Baseball. To learn how you can help, send an email to Bob Cohen at bob(at)banderasnews.com, Miguel Vargas at tacos.park(at)hotmail.com or Oscar Mercado at mercadooscar(at)hotmail.com. For more information about Puerto Vallarta Little League Baseball and full coverage of this season's games click HERE. |
|
| |
Vallarta Weddings
Tell a Friend
Site Map
Print this Page
Email Us