I commend the efforts of a lot of men’s fastpitch advocates in the Inland Empire of So. Calif. for working so hard to keep the sport in existence. But let’s face it, with just five teams playing in the Raymond Angulo Memorial Tournament and four of them from Corona (that also play against each other in the league based in that area), there’s no doubt that the sport is in jeopardy of disappearing in the Inland Empire. While at the NAFA World Series, the manager of the remaining travel team from the Inland Empire that annually has gone to national tournaments, told me his team was discontinuing operations after the World Series. That means that other than the reservation teams, along with the four or five teams based in Corona, a San Bernardino 40-Over Masters team, and the Beaumont Coyotes that continue to host their 4th of July tourney, there are no other teams from the large surrounding cities of Riverside, San Bernardino, Ontario, Palm Springs, etc. I’m sounding pessimistic, I know, but I’m calling it as I see it. If anyone can dispute my gloomy analysis, please step to the podium.
Colton dirtbags managersays
Mr. Otto. Thank you for being the largest advocate and a spokesperson for this great sport we all play and love here in the inland empire and socal in general. Sadly, as you noted, dirtbag operations intended to come to a standstill for now but I’ve elected to concentrate my efforts on a masters team in the scifl. I hope to run full steam ahead in the years to follow and would like to thank you and all current and former members of the dirtbags. It would be great to get a league out in this area aside from the stated teams and I encourage you mr . Otto to continue to recognize and advocate the great managers that bust their tail for the love of this game ( Mr. David valdivia, Capt. Cody Maxcy, Mr. Roybal, and of course Mr. Meraz, And all of our Native American brothers on the soboba, morongo, pala and rincon reservations)
If this is the last of the sport in the area I myself am proud to have been a part of it and want to thank you mr . Otto for your accessibility and promotion of the game. It would be great to show case the sport and invite any other teams out there willing to contact me should a league or tournament arise. The I.E. Has talent galore and let’s all do our part to keep the sport alive. Thanks again.
The Dirtbags represented the Inland Empire and Southern California very well over the past several years. Each and every member should be proud to have played for the organization. I moved to the Inland Empire in 1977 when the sport was booming in cities such as San Bernardino, Riverside, Banning / Beaumont, Palm Springs, Corona, and on the Indian reservations of Morongo, Soboba, Pala, and Barona. It was a great time to be playing the sport. Travel was minimal for leagues and tournaments – just 15 minutes to a half hour in practically any direction. But teams such as the Dirtbags weren’t quite so lucky. Every weekend required long trips for tournaments and the travel league. And there are no local leagues to play in during the week. So these Dirtbags are to be applauded for effort they have made for the sport they love. There have been many outstanding teams from the Inland Empire, and the Dirtbags can claim their place among them. I tip my hat to the Dirtbags and teams just like them that have to make greater sacrifices to play fastpitch than my generation ever did. Kudos Dirtbags on representing our area so well. You should be proud. And best of luck in the move to the Masters division.
When: August 30, 2014
I commend the efforts of a lot of men’s fastpitch advocates in the Inland Empire of So. Calif. for working so hard to keep the sport in existence. But let’s face it, with just five teams playing in the Raymond Angulo Memorial Tournament and four of them from Corona (that also play against each other in the league based in that area), there’s no doubt that the sport is in jeopardy of disappearing in the Inland Empire. While at the NAFA World Series, the manager of the remaining travel team from the Inland Empire that annually has gone to national tournaments, told me his team was discontinuing operations after the World Series. That means that other than the reservation teams, along with the four or five teams based in Corona, a San Bernardino 40-Over Masters team, and the Beaumont Coyotes that continue to host their 4th of July tourney, there are no other teams from the large surrounding cities of Riverside, San Bernardino, Ontario, Palm Springs, etc. I’m sounding pessimistic, I know, but I’m calling it as I see it. If anyone can dispute my gloomy analysis, please step to the podium.
Mr. Otto. Thank you for being the largest advocate and a spokesperson for this great sport we all play and love here in the inland empire and socal in general. Sadly, as you noted, dirtbag operations intended to come to a standstill for now but I’ve elected to concentrate my efforts on a masters team in the scifl. I hope to run full steam ahead in the years to follow and would like to thank you and all current and former members of the dirtbags. It would be great to get a league out in this area aside from the stated teams and I encourage you mr . Otto to continue to recognize and advocate the great managers that bust their tail for the love of this game ( Mr. David valdivia, Capt. Cody Maxcy, Mr. Roybal, and of course Mr. Meraz, And all of our Native American brothers on the soboba, morongo, pala and rincon reservations)
If this is the last of the sport in the area I myself am proud to have been a part of it and want to thank you mr . Otto for your accessibility and promotion of the game. It would be great to show case the sport and invite any other teams out there willing to contact me should a league or tournament arise. The I.E. Has talent galore and let’s all do our part to keep the sport alive. Thanks again.
The Dirtbags represented the Inland Empire and Southern California very well over the past several years. Each and every member should be proud to have played for the organization. I moved to the Inland Empire in 1977 when the sport was booming in cities such as San Bernardino, Riverside, Banning / Beaumont, Palm Springs, Corona, and on the Indian reservations of Morongo, Soboba, Pala, and Barona. It was a great time to be playing the sport. Travel was minimal for leagues and tournaments – just 15 minutes to a half hour in practically any direction. But teams such as the Dirtbags weren’t quite so lucky. Every weekend required long trips for tournaments and the travel league. And there are no local leagues to play in during the week. So these Dirtbags are to be applauded for effort they have made for the sport they love. There have been many outstanding teams from the Inland Empire, and the Dirtbags can claim their place among them. I tip my hat to the Dirtbags and teams just like them that have to make greater sacrifices to play fastpitch than my generation ever did. Kudos Dirtbags on representing our area so well. You should be proud. And best of luck in the move to the Masters division.