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Local volunteer invites community to celebrate 75 years of Little League in Santa Maria Valley
Summary
A longtime volunteer recounted the history of Little League in the Santa Maria Valley and invited the council and community to attend anniversary games and consider preserving historic baseball sites.
Eddie Navarro, a native of the Santa Maria Valley and youth volunteer with the Elks Club, described the start of Little League in the valley and invited the council and residents to attend games celebrating the league’s 75th anniversary.
“I just wanna say, I'm sure the city knows already, but Little League is in the air,” Navarro said, describing opening ceremonies and games at multiple neighborhood sites and naming early organizers, including Butch Simas, Larry Hagman Sr., Harry Goodchild and Carl Barberini. He recounted that the league secured a charter from Williamsport and that the first season opened with a parade from Chapel Street to a field then called Little League Field (McClellan Field).
Navarro asked the city to consider recognizing historically significant fields and called out names associated with local baseball history. He suggested the Elks Club might help recognize players and coaches and proposed designating “Carl Barberini Field at Seamus Park” and the field where the Orchid Express won a national championship as historical locations.
His comments were delivered during public comment and did not prompt immediate council action. Navarro urged residents to attend games and to thank volunteers.
Ending: Navarro invited the council and community to attend remaining anniversary games and said he would seek Elks Club involvement to recognize local baseball history.
