Batter Up!

The boys and girls of summer are ready to play ball as evidenced Saturday when hundreds of local Little Leaguers and their families took to area parks for baseball season’s Opening Day ceremonies.

hosted Lake Elsinore Little League’s big day, and was the venue for Wildomar’s opener.

At McVicker, 370 kids representing 36 teams were on hand. Tee-ball- up to major-league-aged kids suited up, but the day was more about camaraderie and fun than competition.

Duke Lawhorn, 12, a major-league player for the Lake Elsinore Storm, said he’s in his eighth Little League season.

“You have to be patient,” Duke said of Opening Day. A seasoned pro, he said less experienced players should be prepared for paparazzi, pomp and circumstance during opening ceremonies.

“You have to get your team photo taken, and that takes a while,” he said. “There’s a lot of standing around, but that’s just part of it.”

While city dignitaries threw out first pitches and made their speeches, and parents crowded onto bleachers, Duke, a serious first baseman, gave comment. He said his team has had a respectable season start and he’s optimistic about the months ahead.

“We’re pretty good,” he said with confidence. “We won our first game. We beat the Lake Elsinsore Angels, 7-1.”

Like most of the Lake Elsinore teams, Duke’s Storm team sat Saturday out. Only four junior-division teams matched up at McVicker Saturday: The Lake Elsinore Dodgers took on the Lake Elsinore Angels, and the Lake Elsinore Storm and Wildomar Army were on the field.

Taking it all in was Lake Elsinore Little League President Jason Crow, who has been at the helm for three years and is a die-hard fan of the game.

He has two sons playing in the League, and he also coaches. But for him, Little League is more than just baseball.

“My dad passed away when I was 8 years old. After that, I just hid in a closet. It was my Little League coach, K.C. Moton, who pulled me through. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be here today,” said the burly 37-year-old. “Little League is about the kids.”

Ralph Swick has been involved in Little League in the Elsinore Valley for nearly 25 years, but his baseball glory days go back to the 1950s when he was a kid on the field.

“I played Little League right here in Lake Elsinore,” said Swick, who sits on the Lake Elsinore Little League Board. “Back then, there were just four teams, and that was everyone from Temecula up to half of Corona.”

While Swick has seen his community transform over the last 60 years, he said Little League hasn’t changed that much.

“There’s still a strong emphasis on safety, and the game is predicated on teaching kids’ teamwork,” he said. “The lessons they learn on the field – they don’t realize they’ll take those with them for the rest of their lives.”

Swick, whose namesake is Lake Elsinore’s Swick & Matick Park, said his continued involvement in the League is somewhat self-serving because he loves the game and the kids, but there is the aspect of giving back.

Lake Elsinore Little League is completely volunteer-based – coaches, umpires, managers – everyone gives their time free of charge. And the call is always out for more volunteers to jump on board. This year, Lake Elsinore Little League has seen increased sign-ups of approximately 70 kids.

Lake Elsinore Little League Vice President Ed Marquez said, “When I first started with Little League, I was just a parent. When they gave me the opportunity to help, I stepped up.”

Swick hit the point home.

“If you give back to the children,” he said, “they grow up to be good citizens.”