VIDEO: Ganesha baseball coach Tony Green talks about his team’s league title win.

For Ganesha High School, a Miramonte League title in baseball was a long time in coming. The Giants secured that on Friday with a thrilling 4-2, nine-inning win over local rival Garey. That broke a 53-year title drought in that sport.

So when the Giants got to celebrate, they did.

Perspective is always an interesting thing. The Etiwanda softball and Damien baseball teams secured Baseline League titles earlier in the week. For those teams there was hardly a High-Five, much less a celebration. Both have had success in those sports before so expectations are higher.

But when it has been THAT long between titles, you celebrate.

We have to cover the other leagues more thoroughly. The Miramonte has three teams that aren’t even in the Daily Bulletin coverage area. And let’s face it, in most sports the competition is sub-par to most other leagues. But it was nice to get out and see the two local baseball teams, not once, but twice the past week.

Friday’s game was old-school. Just a few bleachers, no outfield field. No frills for sure. But there was a great crowd and a great atmosphere . . . and one intense, well-played, interesting baseball game.

It’s hard to have a rivalry when one team beats the other consistently so this league title win for Ganesha could really jump start the rivalry between neighboring schools.

Ganesha hasn’t had the most decorated past when it comes to athletics but it has made great progress in several sports and baseball is the latest. Good for the Giants and that community.

Here is the link to my game story.

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The Ganesha baseball team has already secured a share of the Miramonte League title which is its first since 1963. One win in the last two this week against Garey and the Giants will win it outright.

The team was just 7-12 last year and 4-10 in league play which was only good enough for a tie for fourth.

This year the Giants are sitting at 15-3 overall and 12-1 in league play with games at Garey on Wednesday and Friday remaining. They defeated their local rival 1-0 on Monday to secure at least a share of the title but are not in the mood to shares, especially with a city rival.

“This is my third year and when I got the job I made the decision to bring all the young guys up and let them play,” coach Tony Green said. “We have just gotten a little bit better each year.”

The team has two pitchers on which it has relied – senior Emilio Delgado (9-1, 1.17) and sophomore Robert Cazares (6-2, 1.90), both right-handers. Delgado was the winner in Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Garey.

Junior Jesus Salcido, a three-year starter, anchors the infield at short.

Green also singles out the showing of catcher Matt Rhodus (.321, 17 RBIs), a transfer from Bonita who did not play for the Bearcats last season.

Other key players are right fielder Richard Melendez and sophomore center fielder Tyler Wardsworth. Green moved Melendez from center to right this year because of the large number of balls opponents have hit there and the move has paid off.

“Our mind-set really is to go out and compete on every pitch,” Green said. “That doesn’t change regardless of the opponent.”

The Giants have played considerably fewer games than most teams because it hasn’t played in any tournaments because it hasn’t gotten the funding from the school to do so. Green knows that is a step his team needs to elevate it to the next level.

“We know we’re under the radar a little bit and that’s OK,” he said. “We have been able to sneak up on people and we’re taking advantage of that while we can.”

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