Baseball, History, Cars, Community. What More Could We Ask For?

It was a celebration to remember last Saturday April 5th, as the Ken Hubbs Memorial Little League (KHMLL) gathered for a historical opening day ceremony at the Ken Hubbs Memorial Baseball Field. This year, the ceremony included a celebration of Little League of America's 75th year anniversary of teaching kids "sportsmanship, fair play, and teamwork" in and outside the baseball field. Keith Hubbs, was invited to say a few words about his brother, Ken Hubbs, a Colton native who played baseball with the Chicago Cubs and passed away 50 years ago (for an article on the 50th anniversary of Ken Hubb's passing, visit www.coltoncitynews.com). Other special guests included Colton City council members Frank Gonzales, Frank Navarro, Susan Oliva, and Mayor Sarah Zamora. Eloise Gomez-Reyes, who is running for Congress in the 31st district and Dr. G of the Colton Area Museum Board of Commissioners were also present at the event. "It's important to support the kids, and to have them learn and celebrate the life of a hero and role model, Ken Hubbs, who grew up in their own city of Colton," Gomez-Reyes shared. James Ramirez, a KHMLL board member who has volunteered as a coach and supporter of the Little League for 10 years was selling raffle entries as part of a fundraising effort for the Little League. "This year, the opening ceremony is a little different," Ramirez explained. "We have a lot of parent participation for fundraising booths, and a car show to go along with the ceremony!" Ramirez's two kids, Mariah and Adrianna Ramirez, are little league softball players in the league. "It's my kid's first season at t-ball. It is a good way to inspire kids to act like a team in the field, and out in the real world," shared parent and volunteer Jeanine Perez. Andres Luna, a former school principal who played baseball as a child in Colton, said that the KHMLL celebration and car show was fun, historic, and nostalgic. "I grew up here in Colton. The cars themselves have a lot of history. They remind me of my childhood."