Smiles were aplenty as more than 700 people attended the Opening Day Ceremony of Ceres Youth Baseball & Softball Organization’s 46th season on Friday at the George Costa Ball Field Complex.
“It was a really good turnout,” Vice President of Baseball Ismael Ontiveros Jr. said. “We had a lot of positive feedback. They appreciate what we’re trying to do. There are some things we want to improve on for next year.”
The Ceres Youth Baseball & Softball Organization (CYBS) Opening Day Ceremony got underway at 6 p.m. on Field Three.
Javier Lopez, Bret Silveira and Daniel Martinez represented the Ceres City Council.
Vice Mayor Silveira threw out the first pitch for baseball to Councilmember Martinez.
Player Alexia Lopez threw out the first softball pitch to former player/CYBS parent Omaira Valencia.
Lopez filled in for past President/Vice President of Softball/board member/coach Dima Ferrel, who was unable to attend the 30-minute event.
“We wanted Dima to throw out the first pitch,” Ontiveros said. “Due to health issues, she wasn’t able to make it.”
About 575 boys and girls, aged 4-15, signed up for the organization’s recreational season.
Registration was closed on Jan. 10 so uniform orders could be completed in a timely manner by Josephine’s Specialties of Hughson.
“If we kept registration open, we would have had over 700 kids,” Ontiveros said. “We had to turn down a lot of kids because we had to have six weeks of leeway for uniforms.”
The 2024 campaign has been expanded from nine to 12 weeks.
Each team will play a total of 12 games.
“The rec season has been overlooked and condensed in the past,” Ontiveros said. “We want to make it relevant again. We want to shine more light on it. We added a couple more weeks. We brought back Saturday games. We’re trying to make it a little more special.”
The league is comprised of 51 teams, including 33 baseball and 18 softball.
There are six divisions for baseball players: 5 & under, 7 & under, 8 & under, 10 & under, 12 & under and 15 & under.
There are four divisions for softball players: 6 & under, 8 & under, 11 & under and 13 & under.
CYBS offered player registration solely online this year.
“Everything was done through computers,” Ontiveros said. “It was a success. Our numbers are higher than the last two years.”
Games will be played Monday through Saturday on five different fields.
“The fields are all being renovated,” Ontiveros said. “Three fields have been done already. The other two fields will be finished during Easter break.”
Weekend games will be staged from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
“We’re scheduling a full slate of games on Saturday so more people will come out,” Ontiveros said.
The organization has a zero-tolerance policy towards mistreatment of umpires and staff.
Most of CYBS’s umpires are former and/or current players.
“They’re kids from our community,” Ontiveros said. “They’re going to make mistakes. We want the parents to have patience.”
CYBS changed the way it operates its snack bar.
“We brought in an online ordering platform,” Ontiveros said. “You can order food from your phone while watching games instead of standing in line. We’ll call you when it’s ready to come pick up.”
The main entry gate to Costa Fields has been replaced.
“We’ve improved the overall cleanliness of the park,” Ontiveros said. “We need it to be clean.”
Picture day was held on March 20.
CYBS’s board consists of nine people: Ontiveros, Jorge Guerrero (President), Jessica Lopez (Vice President-Softball), Melissa Baldwin (Treasurer), Shauna Weeks (Director), Randy Wheeler (Umpire Commissioner-Baseball), Audel Valencia (Umpire Commissioner-Softball), Nikole Ferrel (Sizzle Commissioner) and Marty Sanchez (Blaze Commissioner).
“I love the direction of the executive board,” Ontiveros said. “We’re on the same page. We’re here for the people-our parents and players. We listen to their suggestions. We want to make sure we keep improving the park.”
Ontiveros moved to Ceres 16 years ago.
He has been affiliated with CYBS for the past eight years.
He’s served as a board member and helped coach.
Ontiveros’ two sons, Ish (25) and Adrian (18), are umpiring this season.
They both played recreational baseball at Costa Fields as youngsters.
“I remember coming to CYB as a kid and playing against George Costa’s All-Star team,” Ismael Jr. said. “As an adult, I coached against him. That’s how long I’ve been around.”
“I have a lot of respect for the tradition of CYB and what George Costa established,” he added. “We want to pay homage to him and what he started.”
