The Espinoza Family: When Four became Five: ~Surprise 12/70 ALLSTARS!~

Nicholas was selected from his St.Louis, Cardinal city 12/70 competitive league baseball team to go and play for the Cal Ripkin ALLSTAR 12/70 Rangers to represent the City of Surprise. He was very excited to finally have this opportunity. The team practiced at least three times a week. These boys really wanted to work hard to when so they could have the opportunity to play in Long Beach, California and maybe even Baltimore, Maryland for the Cal Ripkin Little League World Series. Nicholas also voiced his opinion about the uniforms. We were given a real authentic Texas Ranger Jersey to use but they told us to just wear the gray pants that the city league gave us. Nicholas did not like that look very well (I think he is becoming one of those...."a teenager" who cares too much about what he looks like...Juan would say that I made him that way!). So he asked his Dad if he could ask the coach if they could get different pants....all the kids loved the white pants with the blue piping much better than the gray pants. Juan got each parent to pay $15.00 and the rest of the cost donated by friends and family to help the team out from the kindness of their hearts. This was the exact quote Juan used,"Would you like to make a cash donation for our Allstar baseball team? Keep in mind you will get nothing in return except for the satisfaction of knowing you helped out some kids."

The Allstar Rangers of Surprise were scheduled to play their first two games on Wednesday, June 30, 2010 at 5:30 pm and 7:30 pm against Phoenix RAMMS. We won the first game 5~4 and lost the second game 14~7. We came back on Thursday and won both games. I don't know if any of you have played a double~header in the heat of The Valley of the Sun but these boys did an awesome job to win both games! Let me tell you it was a nail biter! I could not sit down! It was so exciting! They all received championship rings!

2010 12/70 Allstar Rangers!