Baseball Continues to Thrive

Little League Baseball at Valley Ridge Park

On the weekend of April 25^th and 26^th, lots of Knights and Knight wives pitched in to serve food and drink at 42 games at Valley Ridge Park in Cedar Hill.   On Saturday, Peter Perta opened and took charge of the opening shift and was ably assisted by Jim Ouimet and newcomer Kevin Carkin (he’s just barely a Knight).  While they could had used a fourth Knight, these three Knights handled the customers with ease, so I’m told.  The middle shift saw Barry Barksdale, Jim Ouimet (again), Mike Fitzgerald and Chris Kubin.  This shift was extremely busy and it was obvious by the amount of revenue this shift generated.  The closing shift saw Phil and Hazel Holifield, Larry and Sheila Balagna, and Allen Reitmeier close out the day which ended about 8:30 pm as the games were shut down because of lightning.  Twenty one games were completed this day and total revenue generated was approximately $3,600.  A very busy, late, and productive day. On Sunday morning, Miguel Hernandez, Russell Gully, and I handled the first shift (assisted by David and Benjamin Hernandez after they finished serving at the 7:30am Mass).  Eduardo Torres, Jesse Zuniga, and Larry Balagna worked the second shift along with the Hernandez gang and Robert and Vicki Tovar arrived early and then worked until closing.  Joe Eubank and John Owen also worked the closing shift.  For the two day, the Knights generated about $6,300 in revenue.  The council is so indebted to those who give of their time and skill to serve food and drink to the many baseball fans at Valley Ridge Park

And also thanks to those who worked on Saturday April 11^st as we had both league games and tournament games.  Thanks to Frank Salazar, John Espree, and Joel Lopez who worked the opening shift and Javier Hernandez, Ricardo Santos, Russell Gully, and Adan and Max Luna who handled the middle shift.  The closing shift was handled by myself and Miguel Hernandez and his two son – David and Benjamin.  Games were scheduled for the 12^th (Sunday), but unfortunately they were rained out – shucks.  If it wouldn’t have rained Pedro Zuniga, Phil and Hazel Holifield, Venancio Salinas, Jorge Ruiz, Dan Murphy and his granddaughter, Chris Kubin, John Owen, Dr. Robert Nieto and Paul Ryan would have handled that day.  So, thus far this spring season of baseball at Valley Ridge, you guys have attended 131 games and generated about $19,000.00 in gross sales.  The Council is very grateful for all the time you have given to raise money for the needy.  On a side note, although the work at the ballpark, at times, can be hectic, there is always time for good natured banter and fun and laughter – just a great group of guys and gals pitching in to make our little corner of the world a bit better.  Thanks so much