The Ceres Youth Baseball and Softball Organization wrapped up another fun-filled season this past month.
“We got a lot of good feedback about how we handled things,” Vice President of Baseball Ismael Ontiveros Jr. said.
More than 550 boys and girls, aged 4-15, signed up for CYBSO’s 47th season of recreational play this year.
Cost per player ranged from $175 to $205 depending on the date of registration.
“We try to keep our fees down,” Ontiveros said. “We’re one of the most affordable.”
The league was comprised of 49 teams, including 38 baseball and 11 softball.
There were five divisions for baseball players: 5 & under, 8 & under, 10 & under, 12 & under and 15 & under.
There were three divisions for softball players: 8 & under, 10 & under, and 13 & under.
The 2025 regular season was expanded from 12 to 14 games.
“We try to make it as enjoyable as we can for the kids,” Ontiveros said.
In the 15-and-under division for baseball, the A’s (11-1-2), Dodgers (8-4-2) and Giants (0-14-0) took first, second and third, respectively.
The Gray Nationals (13-1-0), Black Nationals (10-4-0), Reds (7-4-3), Blue Jays (4-7-3), Red Sox (3-11-0) and Giants (2-12-0) took first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth in the 12-and-under division.
The Angels (13-1-0), Mariners (11-3-0), Dirt Dawgs (9-5-0), Dodgers (6-8-0), Giants (5-9-0), Reds (3-11-0) and Indians (2-12-0) took first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh in the 10-and-under division.
The Blue Braves (14-0-0), Wheeler Braves (11-3-0) and White Dodgers (10-4) took first, second and third in the 8-and-under division. The Blue Dodgers (9-5-0) and Green A’s (9-5-0) tied for fourth. The Reds (7-7-0), Angels (5-9-0), Royals (4-9-1), Mets (4-10-0), Giants (3-10-1) and Yellow A’s (0-14-0) took fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth and 10th.
UCLA claimed the 13-and-under division title for softball. The Washington Huskies (8-5-1), Oklahoma Sooners (7-7-0) and Oregon Ducks (1-13-0) took second, third and fourth, respectively.
Michigan (8-5-1), UCLA (7-6-1) and Washington Huskies (5-9-0) took first, second and third in the 10-and-under division.
The Humboldt Jacks (12-1-1), Oregon Ducks (6-7-1), Cal Berkeley (5-8-1) and Washington Huskies (3-10-1) took first, second, third and fourth in the 8-and-under division.
Team standings were not kept for CYBSO’s co-ed t-ball division.
Javier Valdez (A’s) and Brandi Harrison (Humboldt Jacks) were named Coaches of the Year.
Valdez’s team lost all 14 of its games.
“The true character of a coach isn’t measured by wins and losses,” Ontiveros said. “It’s measured by the impact you have on kids. Javier had a great attitude. He never complained once. He never stopped coaching.”
CYBS0 staged its Closing Ceremonies on May 31.
All-Star Showcase games for all age groups, excluding t-ball, were played between 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. the same day.
“It’s the second year we’ve done this. It’s an all-day thing. Every division sent their best players and played against each other.”
Ceres Youth Baseball & Softball Organization had to cancel its Opening Day Ceremonies in March.
The start date for regular-season games was changed because the uniform vendor selected by the board failed to fulfill its commitment and contract with CYBSO.
Josephine’s Specialties, a different vendor, was hired to complete an order for missing hats and jerseys for the second time in four years.
“The season got off to a bumpy start. It was a situation nobody could see coming. They gave us uniforms with no sponsors. It put us in a bad situation. Everybody stayed patient with us. A lot of coaches took the heat for us. To make up for it, we gave each team two extra games.”
CYBS0’s 2025 board consisted of nine members: 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).
“We’re in a good place,” Ontiveros said.
