Fallbrook Youth Baseball celebrates opening day

Grant Knox, 10, catches the first pitch at the opening day of Fallbrook Youth Baseball on Feb. 23. He is a fifth grader at La Paloma and a member of Fallbrook’s championship All-Star Team.

Fallbrook’s All Star players honored during opening day include, from left, Joel Calhoun, Dean Olivo, Grant Knox, Cooper Sherman, Evan Brown, Tristen Smith, and Mitchel Simon; not pictured Tomas Carranza and Connor White. Angelo Olivo was the team coach. The team has been the All Star North Section Champion for three years in a row, for Pinto, Mustang 9, and Mustang 10 divisions, and has also won 19 tournament championships. Never in history has a Fallbrook team won more championships.

Braeden Pato, 9, and his sister Maleia Pato attend opening day festivities. Braeden plays in the Mustang division and has been a successful member of the Fallbrook All- Star team. Maleia is trying T-ball for the first time this year. She gave up gymnastics to follow in her brother’s footsteps. When asked why she exclaimed, “I like baseball!”

San Diego County Supervisor Bill Horn who has helped raise over $62,000 for Fallbrook Youth Baseball, is presented with an award by Fallbrook Youth Baseball president Jessica Knox, “In recognition and appreciation for your financial support and commitment to our youth baseball organization.”

Warrior Matt Jepsen threw the first pitch for Fallbrook Youth Baseball. He is a senior at Fallbrook High School where he has played varsity baseball all four years. 

Erika Torrescano, a seventh grader at Potter and member of the Glee Club, who has been singing since she was 2 years old, sings the national anthem.

Clark Murphy, a local major league baseball player, came to show his support for Fallbrook Youth Baseball and the fields where he used to “strike out in T-ball.” He thanked his parents, especially his father and said he wouldn’t be where he is today without them. Murphy was a fifth round draft pick for the Texas Rangers and played with them from 2008-2012. He was a Padres free agent in 2012.

Sun Devil Pinto Coach Jason van Eik poses with last year’s All-Stars Tyler Allegro and son Peyton van Eik, and first-time player Hannah Nguyen who are excited for their first game and season opener together as Sun Devils. Both boys play Warrior baseball but enjoy the energy spring baseball brings and Hannah is the only female on her team. She was later awarded the first game ball of the season by Fallbrook Youth Baseball.

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