It's Springtime in the Yucaipa Valley, let's play ball

All three coaches are volunteers with years of softball experience. All three have children or grandchildren playing the grand old game. All three men have three things they agree on:

"We want to instill the fundamentals of the game, teach the girls to work together as a team, and to have lots of fun," said Sanchez, whose daughter Madeline, 10, is the team's pitcher.

10-year-old Jazmine Farjeat seemed to agree with her coach. She said softball is one of her favorite sports. "I like basketball too, but softball more," Jazmine said. "Softball is just fun and it makes me more confident."

But she does have one concern that is universal from little girls' softball to major league baseball: "Sometimes it's hard to tell the difference between a ball and a strike," she said.

While the girls practiced and the men coached, moms lounged in their lawn chairs side-by-side, chatting, but all the while keeping an eye on the field.

For them, the game means much more than winning and losing. "We want them all to have a safe, fun time," said Adriana Duran, the Blue Crew's team mom, who also serves on the league's board of directors. "There is no pressure on the girls. They don't have to worry about being cut from tryouts. We want them to have fun and socialize together."

But the adults also have a good time at the ball park, said Duran as her daughter Lauren, 10, focused her efforts on fielding ground balls hit by coach Burk. "All the parents get to know each other and build bonds and friendships," Duran said. "This game helps bring a community together."

When many of the girls get older, they will compete against each other for a spot on the high school softball team. They will join travel ball clubs and compete in serious games and tournaments. Then the pressure to win will build. But for now - at their young age - the game is simply about learning, fun, and friendship.

"It's fun running around the field and meeting new girls and making new friends," said nine-year-old Kara Hunt.

It can't be said any better than that.

The Blue Crew includes: Keely Clark, Jazmine Farjeat, Harlee Holden, Kara Hunt, Miranda Ganly, Caitlin Gonzales, Lauren Duran, Madeline Sanchez, Bailey Cook, Ariana Hale, Karli Burk, Jessica Keeton, and manager Duane Burk, and coach, Ralph Keeton. And Doc's Woodshop sponsors the team.