Riordan Makes His Pitch

Upon being introduced as this year’s honorary “first pitcher,” former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan, owner of Village Pantry on Swarthmore, began warming up in preparation of officially beginning the Palisades Pony Baseball Association’s 55th season on Saturday morning at the Palisades Recreation Center’s Field of Dreams complex. “What’s the name of the greatest community in the world?” Riordan asked. “What’s the name of the greatest team?” Selling the most tickets for the pancake breakfast this year was Adam Stryer of the Mustang Tigers, who will be rewarded for his ingenuity by serving as a bat boy at an upcoming UCLA baseball game. Jason Starrels of the Mustang Dodgers was second and will similarly be a bat boy at an upcoming Pepperdine game. This year, Village Pantry is sponsoring the Pinto Red Sox and Riordan gave them a pep talk before their game against the Orioles, jokingly telling the players: “Winning is not everything–it’s the only thing.” Coach Rick McGeagh implored the community to contribute to the Field of Dreams maintenance fund. “Last year we asked for support to build the steps,” he said. “Seventy five people gave more than $100,000 and they will be done shortly. Our next project is awnings over the bleachers and we need $25,000 for that. We also need about $50,000 a year for field maintenance so if you’ve given in the past and can do it again, good. If you’re new in PPBA, think of making a contribution.” Pancake breakfast organizers Robin Dodson and Jean Kaplan each was given a bouquet of flowers and coaches shirts after which PPBA Commissioner Bob Benton presented longtime coaches Clark Porter and Charlie Meister with special recognition plaques for their years of tireless service to the organization. Gelson’s, Coffee Bean and Starbucks donated food and drinks for the pancake breakfast and Palisades Pizza underwrote the cost of the tickets. Following the national anthem, which was sung by the Pinto Cardinals team, Porter knelt down to catch Riordan’s ceremonial toss. The first pitch was low. Riordan wound up and threw again. This time it was a perfect strike, according to three umpires standing nearby. “I can’t wait for the game to start,” said local martial arts instructor Gerry Blanck, who is sponsoring the Bronco Red Sox. “So many of my [karate] students play in the PPBA so this is my second year sponsoring a team.” Perhaps Riordan’s rousing pre-game talk inspired the Pinto Red Sox, who outscored the Orioles 14-9. In other Pinto Division (ages 7-8) games, the Dodgers tied the Phillies 11-11, the Cardinals routed the Cubs 14-2 and the Yankees edged the Tigers 10-9. In the Mustang Division (ages 9-10), the Cardinals got past the Cubs 9-8, the Dodgers beat the Phillies 9-3, the Red Sox blanked the Orioles 13-0 and the Tigers edged the Yankees 4-3. In the Bronco Division (ages 11-12), the Red Sox beat the Orioles 6-3, the Yankees edged the Tigers 3-2, the Cardinals squeezed by the Cubs 3-2 and the Phillies beat the Dodgers 8-3.