Karen Boehler
CCSR writer/editor
The Noon Optimist Minors All-Star team was introduced Friday during opening ceremonies in Raton before the state tournament.
(CCSR photo by Karen Boehler)
RATON — Saturday morning, the Noon Optimist minors Little League team will begin its quest for a state title. But Friday night, the youngsters had a chance to just be kids, as each of the nine teams were introduced in opening ceremonies then had a chance to mingle at a team barbecue.
At the opening ceremonies on Ragsdale Field — where the teams will square off beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday — District Administrator Paul Martinez and Raton Little League President April Gomez welcomed each team with handshakes and a photo op at the mound.
After that, it was on to the Raton Convention Center, where the players and their families got to dine on beef brisket, potato salad and watermelon while contemplating the next day’s challenges.
But Noon Op manager Greg Maloney said his players don’t seem to worried about what’s ahead.
“I was talking to the coaching staff and I was kind of surprised,” Maloney said. “They’re pretty relaxed. I figured they’d be a little more nervous than they are. But they all seem to be about even keel.”
And they seemed that way at the dinner, eating, roughhousing, mugging for parents’ cameras and sounding confident.
“I hope that we get in first and go all the way,” said Drew Price, one of the seven players at their first state tournament.
“We have a good team,” said Jaden Stevens, another first-timer. “It’s fun. Exciting.”
And that word popped up a lot when asked how the players felt.
“It’s fun. I really like it. It’s exciting,” Price said.
“Pretty fun. Cool,” echoed Zane Carrillo, while also hoping for the best. “I hope we come in first.”
“I feel real excited and ready to play,” said Gavin Maloney, one of the four players from last year’s All-Star team.
The only player sounding a note of concern was Matthew Shanor, another returner, who said he felt “Nervous. Because the first time we didn’t do so well. The second time, there’s new teams.”
Coach Maloney said he thinks the nerves will kick in all around when they step on the field Saturday, but also said his team has a big plus.
“I think the jitters will come out tomorrow when they take the field,” he said. “A lot of these kids play two or three other sports, so they’re used to big-time games and competing at this level. I’m hoping that will be a benefit for us.”
Noon Op will face the team from Silver City, and while Little League teams are hard to scout, Maloney said his squad will be ready.
“I don’t know much about them, other than what I just saw,” he said. “They have some pretty big boys. Pretty wide range of size on their team, just like we do. So what I tell my kids is that they’re just 9-10 year olds from a different part of the state. We’ll be ready to go tomorrow.”
Shorthorn (Carlsbad) and White Rock open the tournament with a play-in game at 9 a.m. Saturday, followed by the Noon Op/Silver match at 11:30, Paradise Hills (Albuquerque)/Clovis American at 2 p.m. and Roadrunner (Raton) and Westside (Albuquerque) at 4:30 p.m.
Las Vegas drew a bye to 9 a.m. Sunday, where they’ll face the winner of the Shorthorn/White Rock game.
For more sports news, go to Chaves County Sports Report