City’s Pinto Division Sectional resumes today at Britton
SAN MARTIN — Patty and Harry Goularte own a house that would be tough for any kid to leave.
Surrounded by horse property in San Martin, their resort includes a pool, playground, minigolf course, batting cage — and a baseball diamond.
Those last two items were getting the most use Wednesday, as the Morgan Hill Pony Baseball Pinto and Mustang Division ‘Gold’ All-Star teams popped leather and aluminum in the afternoon twilight.
“It’s a field of dreams,” said Bill Mazotti, one of several parents who were on hand.
For a select few MHPB players, this is when the real season begins.
“Everyone wants to get going with summer vacation, but you want to see your kids play here,” said Mazotti, whose sons Billy and Karson play for the Mustang and Pinto teams, respectively. “The special thing about All-Stars is, the talent is the best at that level. … And it picks up everyone’s talent.
“After the kids play All-Stars, is difficult for them to get back and play league ball. They love All-Stars.”
Who doesn’t? Morgan Hill will have 15 teams in this year’s All-Star season, more than any city or region in Northern California.
“We’ve got a lot of kids in Morgan Hill, and we’re going to fill as many teams as we can,” MHPB Bronco Division co-representative Tom Moorehead said. “We had 10 teams in Bronco during the regular season alone this year. That’s more than 120 kids.”
And the countless All-Stars are playing for the same goals: win the next tournament and try to reach the World Series.
“You’re playing for it all right now,” said Mike Zanotto, who coaches the powerful Bronco 12 ‘A’ team. “You hope to just keep winning.”
The madness began Thursday night at Britton Middle School, where Pinto ‘Green’ took on San Jose Pacific in the double-elimination Morgan Hill Section Tournament. Coached by Randy Romriell, the ‘Green’ team is one of four Pinto All-Star squads from Morgan Hill and one of two in their five-team host sectional.
The city’s Pinto ‘Gold’ team plays at 5:30 p.m. tonight against Blossom Valley’s ‘3’ team.
“We’re hoping it comes down to the two Morgan Hill teams,” said Vince La Gatta, manager of Pinto ‘Gold.’ “It’s about making sure you have the kids ready to play and seeing what happens, playing the game.”
As a coach, the biggest obstacle is quickly building team unity. Five of La Gatta’s players were on the National and American League runner-up teams this season.
“They’re All-Stars for a reason: These kids know how to win,” he said. “It’s about making sure you’re consistent with your kids — that you preach what the kids can do to help other kids on the team and that they understand teamwork.”
Morgan Hill’s other two Pinto All-Star teams, Black and Gray, also began play this week in the six-team San Jose Sectional at Calero School. They are managed by Pete Milos and Tim Harris, respectively.
The Mustang All-Star season begins July 7.
