County Employee Helps Little Leaguers Achieve Dreams
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District 42 Administrator Ernie Lucero (red) stands with Sweetwater Valley Little League players Braiz Ramirez, Levi Mendez and Dante Schmid.
Ernie Lucero and 13 players from Sweetwater Valley Little League (along with a handful of coaches and plenty of family members) just got back from the Little League World Series, where the team of young sluggers took its thrilling run to the competition’s semifinals. Their valiant efforts may not have had them power their way into first place, but Lucero, the District 42 Administrator, is extremely proud nonetheless.
“Even though [they] lost against a good Texas team, in my view, they’re winners. They made it all the way to Williamsport, which is a dream to those who don’t go there. The experience the Sweetwater Valley kids lived in Pennsylvania will forever be etched in their memories,” said Lucero, a supervising investigator with the County Office of Public Defender.
Lucero is the district’s administrator – a volunteer position that oversees nine little leagues in south county and ensures all rules and regulations are followed.
“I have a staff of eight individuals who volunteer their time to help me run the district. These are dedicated people who all share our commitment to better the community through Little League baseball and who also love working with kids,” he said.
Lucero served as President of Eastlake Little League in 2000 and has been in his current volunteer position for about seven years. This is his third time in six years going to Williamsport for the World Series with District 42.
“Each of the three times at Williamsport has been extraordinarily exciting. It all started with the 2009 Park View team. Making it to Williamsport for the Little League World Series wasn’t just a distant dream; they made it a reality. The 2013 Eastlake Little League team reinforced that Williamsport was not out of reach. They became the U.S. champions that year, making us very proud for being the best Little League team in the United States,” Lucero said.
But this past team that made it to the semifinals, the Sweetwater Valley Little League, is the best hitting club Lucero said he’s ever seen.
“If you can believe it, each of the 13 players on the team hit a home run during their run to the World Series. This is incredible!”
One of those players is Lucero’s nephew.
“I’m just happy he was able to experience the magic of playing in Williamsport and being part of the team.”
The three teams that have gone to Williamsport are only about nine miles apart from each other, which Lucero says is unprecedented for teams in the playoffs.
“People ask me how this can be. I tell them it’s the magic of the carne asada fries!”
As for his next trip to Pennsylvania, Lucero thinks it might be sooner rather than later.
“There is another team coming up through the ranks. There might possibly be a fourth District 42 team that makes it to Williamsport.”
A “Welcome Home” celebration is being held for the Sweetwater sluggers at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 3321 Conduit Road in Bonita. Representatives from the County of San Diego and City of Chula Vista will be in attendance as well as Channel 93.3, the Eastlake and Bonita Vista Cheer Squads and the San Diego Padres Pad Squad.