California Pintos baseball hosted two special events over the past two weeks.
On April 19, California celebrated 30 years of baseball with an alumni celebration during their game against the Linn Wildcats. Alumni Eli Freeman gave an opening speech and Jeremy Barnard sang the National Anthem. Inaugural alum Mikel Peterson threw out the ceremonial first pitch to his son, Ian Peterson, who is a senior on this year's team.
Fifteen alumni came to the game and were recognized between the varsity and junior varsity games, including current Assistant Coach Robb Hartman, former Superintendent Ron Harlan and former Athletic Director Keith Walk. Coach Walk was recognized with a special plaque for his years of service to Pintos athletics and his vision for starting Pintos baseball. California won the game 5-4 on a walk-off by senior Martin Kilmer.
On May 1, the Pintos hosted a baseball youth camp for kindergartners through sixth graders to instruct them in baseball. Twenty-eight boys were in attendance for the camp. The youth were invited to the Pintos game the following night against Boonville and participated in the lineup announcement and the Star Spangled Banner. Each youth also received a Pintos baseball T-shirt, popcorn and a drink as part of the camp.
Submitted/Courtesy of Alicia Nokes California baseball alumni Mikel Peterson (left) throws the ceremonial first pitch to his son Ian Peterson on April 19.
Submitted/Courtesy of Alicia Nokes Former California athletic director Keith Walk (left) was recognized with a plaque for his years of service to Pintos Athletics and his vision for starting Pintos baseball.
Submitted/Courtesy of Alicia Nokes California Pintos baseball hosted a youth camp for kindergarteners to sixth graders on May 1. 28 boys were in attendance.
Submitted/Courtesy of Alicia Nokes California Pintos baseball hosted a youth camp for kindergarteners to sixth graders on May 1. 28 boys were in attendance.