Bill Montez assembled the Central Valley Reds baseball squad in 2003.
"I'm trying to help the high school baseball program," he said.
Approximately nine of Montez's 13 players were members of the Ceres High varsity or JV teams in 2004-05. Jonathan Montez, Luis Malagon and Tyler Trensenrider played varsity. Brent Avila, Jake Keidel, Irving Reyes, Jimmy Perales, R.J. Perea and Chad Bennett played JV.
"Most of these kids came from Ceres Youth Baseball," Montez said. "They've been playing together and against each other since they were seven or eight years old."
Central Valley competes solely at the 18-under level this year. The past two seasons, the Reds split time at 16s and 18s.
"We took our lumps the first couple years playing against the older age groups," Montez said. "It's paid off this year."
The Reds have placed second twice.
"They've had two good tournaments," Montez said.
"They did everything we asked them to do. They played great defensively and had key hits."
Central Valley took second in a field of five at the third annual Super Series Woodbat Tournament earlier this month. The Reds compiled a 2-2 record. They defeated the Altamont Titans 6-2 in the semifinals. Central Valley lost 9-1 to the Sacramento-based International Baseball Academy of California in the championship game.
In July, the Reds opened the season with a second-place finish at the USSSA Woodbat Tournament in Woodland. They compiled a 2-1-1 record at the five-team event
Central Valley plans to play in at least five more tournaments this season, including two in September and three in October.
The Reds scrimmage several times a week. They practice at Ceres High School.
Montez works in the Bay Area. He's the designated driver.
"I pick up kids on the way in," he said. - By DALE BUTLER / Staff reporter of the Ceres (Calif.) Courier
"I'm trying to help the high school baseball program," he said.
Approximately nine of Montez's 13 players were members of the Ceres High varsity or JV teams in 2004-05. Jonathan Montez, Luis Malagon and Tyler Trensenrider played varsity. Brent Avila, Jake Keidel, Irving Reyes, Jimmy Perales, R.J. Perea and Chad Bennett played JV.
"Most of these kids came from Ceres Youth Baseball," Montez said. "They've been playing together and against each other since they were seven or eight years old."
Central Valley competes solely at the 18-under level this year. The past two seasons, the Reds split time at 16s and 18s.
"We took our lumps the first couple years playing against the older age groups," Montez said. "It's paid off this year."
The Reds have placed second twice.
"They've had two good tournaments," Montez said.
"They did everything we asked them to do. They played great defensively and had key hits."
Central Valley took second in a field of five at the third annual Super Series Woodbat Tournament earlier this month. The Reds compiled a 2-2 record. They defeated the Altamont Titans 6-2 in the semifinals. Central Valley lost 9-1 to the Sacramento-based International Baseball Academy of California in the championship game.
In July, the Reds opened the season with a second-place finish at the USSSA Woodbat Tournament in Woodland. They compiled a 2-1-1 record at the five-team event
Central Valley plans to play in at least five more tournaments this season, including two in September and three in October.
The Reds scrimmage several times a week. They practice at Ceres High School.
Montez works in the Bay Area. He's the designated driver.
"I pick up kids on the way in," he said. - By DALE BUTLER / Staff reporter of the Ceres (Calif.) Courier
