Jeff Tully
BURBANK -- Although the Burbank Park, Recreation and Community
Services Hap Minor baseball league doesn't begin until next month, there
will be youth players hitting the diamond today for competition.
At 9 this morning at Brace Park, the Burbank Little League will kick
off its sophomore season with opening ceremonies and games all day.
After struggling to get a league started in the city in conjunction
with the Hap Minor program, the Burbank Little League looks to be
thriving.
"It was a real struggle trying to get organized last year for the
first season," Little League Vice President Ron Gobble said. "But we are
expecting a lot of good things for this season.
"Last season we had about 130 players, and this season we should be up
to about 210 or 215 players, so we're doing pretty well."
Along with four Minor, two Major and one Junior team, the Little
League boasts 10 T-Ball squads.
Gobble said one of the most encouraging things about the upcoming
season is seeing how many players have returned after competing in the
inaugural season.
"I think probably 60% to 70% of our T-Ball players have returned," he
said. "And that number is probably closer to 80% for some of the older
kids, so we are really happy about that."
While the lower-division teams will play their games on Saturdays at
Brace Park, some of the upper-division teams compete in the city and at
parks in Glendale.
"For the older kids, they play in the Jewel City League and they get
to play games in Gland ale at Brand Park and at Stengel Field, which is a
real treat for them," Gobble said. "It is just a good opportunity for the
players to compete against some very good competition.
Unlike the local Park and Rec teams, the Little League squads get a
chance to qualify for playoffs, and have an opportunity to compete in the
Little League World Series.
In helping his organization prosper, Gobble said the city has been
very generous in letting the Little League use Brace Park.
"The city has been very helpful," Gobble said. "I think there is a
place for the park teams and the Little League teams to coexist. We
proved that last year.
"I just think that Little League gives kids an opportunity to play in
an organization that is a little different from the park leagues. It
gives them a choice."
A Glendale High graduate, Gobble is not only serving as the league's
vice president, but he is also coaching one of the Minor teams."
"Like the local high schools, we have an Indians team and a Bulldogs
team," he said. "When I've been coaching, my teams are usually the
Bulldogs. But I'm a Glendale grad, so although we are the Bulldogs, our
colors are black and red, like [the Nitros]."
