NFL
By: George Lopez
Over Father’s Day weekend, the So Cal Redhawks traveled to Georgia to take part in Perfect Game’s 18U WWBA National Championship Baseball tournament. This was the Redhawks second time playing in Georgia, having competed in the 17U tournament a year ago.
The team embraced the opportunity this tournament provided as they looked to face teams with multiple college committed players.
One of the things that makes this team so special is the closeness the players have with each other. When MLB players retire, one of the things they say they miss the most about playing is the camaraderie they shared with their teammates. On the field, the Redhawks show how much they enjoy competing with their teammates. They welcome new players with open arms and make them feel as though they have been a part of the team for years. If a player makes an error on the field or is unsuccessful at bat, rather than ridicule or put the player down, the entire team lifts up the player, offers words of encouragement and lets him know they have his back. Off the field, the team’s bond is even more evident. The bond the team shares is a part of why this team has been successful on the field.
The close bond of this team extends beyond the players as families of the team share a very special and close bond with each other. The closeness of everyone with the team starts at the top with manager and founder of the Redhawks, David Ramirez and team mom Lucie Ramirez, who is affectionately referred to as Mama Bear. David and Lucie see each player as their own kids and see parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles as family. It is a close bond that cannot be measured.
During the tournament, most of the dads and a grandfather, who is known as Granpa Joe, joined the team on the field after a game and relived their youth as they took turns on the pitcher’s mound throwing pitches to the team’s starting catcher, Noah Ramirez. It was a moment that the dads and their sons were able to share together that will last a lifetime.
Though the outcome of the tournament was not what the Redhawks had envisioned, the tournament ended on a strong note for the Redhawks as pitcher Thomas Leon pitched a masterful complete game to help lead his team to a 2-1 victory in their final game of the tournament. The experience and memories of taking part of this tournament will stay with the players and their family members for a lifetime. On behalf of all the Redhawks parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles and cousins who come out and support the team, we would like to give a very heartfelt thank you to David and Lucie Ramirez for welcoming us into the Redhawks family with open arm from day one. The Redhawksare not just a baseball team, they are and always will be family.
