Rec Sports

Event included a special award and pre-game talk by MLB scout –

Published

6 months ago

June 7, 2025

Major League scout Taylor Cameron from the Texas Rangers talks to players before the 57th annual Orange County All-Star Baseball Game Wednesday at the Great Park. (PHOTOS: Tim Burt and Jacob Ramos, OC Sports Zone)

Organizers of the 57th annual Orange County All-Star Baseball Game at the Great Park wanted the event to be more than just a game.

Officials with the Ryan Lemmon Foundation, including chairman Guy Lemmon and foundation members Dick Owens (the game director) and Rex Lyon, looks like they accomplished that.

Officials were pleased with the improved attendance figures at the game, estimated at 600. This was the second year that the Ryan Lemmon Foundation ran the game.

The South won its third game in a row over the North, 3-1.

Players took part in pre-game drills which were open to the public, Major League scout Taylor Cameron addressed players before the game, a special award was given to Owens and there was a special appearance by Omaha the Bat Dog who picked up bats during the game and returned them to the dugout.

In addition, members of two youth baseball teams appeared on field for pre-game activities and Irvine city officials attended the game and were on the field for pre-game ceremonies.

A practice at Irvine Valley College started the week.

To see the slide show, click on the first photo:

Dick Owens (middle) of the Ryan Lemmon Foundation was presented a proclamation by Don Wagner, chairman of the OC Board of Supervisors (right). Irvine City Councilman James Mai (left) also praised Owens.

Dick Owens (middle), Don Wagner (left) and James Mai throw out the first pitch.
PHOTO: Jacob Ramos, For OC Sports Zone

Ryan Lemmon Foundation members (from left) Rex Lyon, Dick Owens and Guy Lemmon ran the OC All-Star game with the help of many volunteers.

Youth baseball players from the county joined the all-stars on the field.

The South all-stars line up for introductions.
PHOTO: Jacob Ramos, For OC Sports Zone

The North team before Wednesday’s game.
PHOTO: Jacob Ramos, For OC Sports Zone

The North’s Mikey Patterson of Fountain Valley is introduced.

Fans gather before Wednesday’s all-star game at Great Park.

The Colts youth baseball team takes the field.

North coaches Ricardo Cepeda (red jacket) and Bob Marshall talk to players including Miles Scott of Servite (No. 1) and Trevor Goldenetz of Huntington Beach.

Nico Rodriguez of Brea Olinda (No. 34) was among the North pitchers. Also pictured No. 1 Miles Scott of Servite.

Santa Margarita coach Chris Malec (right) watches practice as Benji Medure of Huntington Beach and Burt Call of Villa Park exchange handshakes.

Aliso Niguel’s Jarett Sabol is congratulated by Dick Owens (left) and Rex Lyon of the the Ryan Lemmon Foundation after being named South MVP.
PHOTO: Jacob Ramos, For OC Sports Zone

Tyler Peshke (left) and Mikey Patterson of Fountain Valley, earlier this week, were named to the North all-star team.

Adam Kunin (left) and Jacob Ramos of OC Sports Zone.

Mr. Baseball Award

Dick Owens, who has also been the tournament director for the Ryan Lemmon Invitational spring tournament since the start, was honored before the game and presented the Mr. Baseball Award. He also threw out the opening pitch.

Don Wagner, chairman of the Orange County supervisors, praised Owen’s years of volunteer work in helping to build baseball in Irvine and Orange County and presented him with a proclamation. Irvine City Irvine Vice Mayor James Mai also praised Owens’ achievements.

“Dick Owens has been a selfless volunteer in the Irvine sports community for over 35 years,” it was noted in the game program. “His contributions have helped teach countless young men and women the values of teamwork, self-reliance and leadership.”

Owens has helped more than 50 schools in Orange County. He’s also been an active member of the Irvine Sports Committee and was instrumental in the development of the Irvine Great Park Sports Complex.

Owens has lived in Irvine since 1984. His wife Rachel was in attendance along with his son Ben Owens, baseball coach at Northwood High School.

“Behind the scenes, Dick has made a huge impact in the Orange County high school baseball community and they are forever grateful,” the program message noted.

Advice from scout

Before the game, Texas Rangers national pro scout Taylor Cameron congratulated the players for being in the game and wished them well in the game. Players from both teams were on hand for the talk.

Big player turnout

Players from Fountain Valley Tyler Peshke and Mikey Patterson along with Santa Margarita players Gavin Spiridonoff, Ben Finnegan and Brennan Bauer were at the game Wednesday. Bauer pitched in the seventh inning for the South.

Fountain Valley and Santa Margarita both lost games in the CIF So Cal Regional Wednesday afternoon but the players wanted to take part in the all-star game that night. Mater Dei players Lawson Olmstead and Brannon Thomas were also there, one day after the Monarchs lost in the regional.

Under CIF rules, players selected for the all-star game could not play if their teams were still competing in the So Cal regionals.

“They wanted to go out and enjoy the experience together and be able to get out there and play a little bit and have a little bit of fun,” said South assistant Chris Malec, head coach at Santa Margarita.

“Our season at Santa Margarita was awesome. The kids went through a lot through the course of the year, some ups and downs but ultimately continued to make an incredible run and play in an incredible atmosphere through the finish and I couldn’t be more proud of who our guys are and how they represented our school and our community.”

Barons represented

Fountain Valley players Mikey Patterson, a second baseman and Tyler Peshke, a pitcher and infielder, said they were honored to be selected for the game.

“Honestly, I’m really excited, it’s a great group of guys out here,” Patterson said in an interview before the game. “I’m real excited to see everybody play and meet new people and I’m super stoked.”

Patterson plans to play at Cerritos College next season.

“It’s obviously an honor with all these other guys out here, there is so much history in the game with all the other guys who have played in the game before me, I’m just excited,” added Peshke.

Peshke will also play at Cerritos College next season.

Reporters’ reflections

Jacob Ramos and Adam Kunin of OC Sports Zone covered their first OC all-star baseball game and shared their thoughts:

Jacob Ramos: “My favorite memory from Wednesday’s OC All-Star Game was being able to celebrate the talent that comes through Orange County baseball every year. Seeing the names and faces on the promotional poster and knowing that so many of the players I had the privilege to cover on Wednesday will go on to have successful careers was an amazing feeling. I loved shooting for the game but also enjoyed talking to Jarett Sabol (Aliso Niguel) about what’s next as he prepares for collegiate baseball at USC.

“Overall, it was an amazing experience and one of my favorites of all-time while working for OC Sports Zone. Baseball and sports are sacred and should be celebrated whenever possible. I’m grateful for the Ryan Lemmon Foundation, the City of Irvine, the OC Riptide and every team/player/program coordinator who allowed the day to come together and and gave us such great access to showcase the talent on-field.”

Note: Jacob, who joined OC Sports Zone in April, is entering his senior year at UCI. He is majoring in criminology, law and society. He has been the beat writer for New U covering UCI men’s basketball.

Adam Kunin: “The on-site staff welcomed us with open arms and made the whole experience enjoyable. My favorite memory from the night was getting to talk to some of the standout players about their experience at the OC-All Star Game.

“After the game, I had the opportunity to speak with South team MVP Jarett Sabol, North team MVP Trevor Goldenetz and Hustle Award winner Miles Scott. They were all well-spoken individuals who treated us with great care and compassion. I have no doubt that they all have bright futures ahead.”

Note: Adam joined OC Sports Zone as a summer intern in May. He will be entering his junior year at Arizona State University, majoring in journalism. He has also covered numerous sports at ASU and is editor in chief of Inferno Intel, a student run publication covering sports.

OC SPORTS ZONE TEAM: Jacob Ramos and Adam Kunin of OC Sports Zone also covered the all-star game. Jacob had an in-depth interview with South MVP Jarett Sabol and took action photos for the main story. Check out post-game interviews on X by Adam, who also provided updates.

—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com

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Rec Sports

Tree collapses onto 2 young children waiting for school bus

Published

16 minutes ago

December 18, 2025

Your Sports Nation

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KMVT/Gray News) – Two children in Idaho are critically injured after a tree fell on them while they were waiting for the school bus.

The Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Office said high winds caused rotten trees to fall on power lines before collapsing on the children.

The kids, both under the age of 10, and an older sibling were waiting outside for their bus when the tree collapsed. According to the sheriff’s office, the older sibling was not injured.

Aaron Hudson, the Twin Falls fire deputy chief, told KTVB first responders had to first get the kids out from the tree and downed power lines before they could prepare them for transport.

The sheriff’s office said one of the children was taken to the hospital by ambulance, while the other was airlifted.

According to Hudson, the weather conditions caused difficulties during transport. He said that it prevented the helicopter from going any further than the local hospital.

The family of the children has started a GoFundMe to help cover medical expenses.

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Rec Sports

360 Hoops Targets 2026 for National Market Entry

Published

24 minutes ago

December 18, 2025

Your Sports Nation

As youth sports participation costs rise and facility availability remains a bottleneck for growth, US-based 360 Hoops has announced a formal commercial rollout for 2026.

The company, which specialises in a patented three-basket hardware system and a proprietary 3v3v3 gameplay format, is positioning itself to address the primary pain point for facility operators: revenue density per square metre.

The pivot from prototype to national property follows a 2025 validation phase that included visibility on ESPN’s “The Ocho” and integration into US youth development programs.

By allowing five units to be deployed on a single standard basketball court, the system can support up to 60 active athletes simultaneously, a six-fold increase over traditional 5v5 training sessions.

Co-founder of 360 Hoops, Anthony Gomez, noted that the value proposition for club directors and private complexes hinges on this spatial efficiency.

“It really comes down to one question: how much value can you generate per square foot?” Gomez said.

The business model is built on vertical integration, combining high-margin unit sales with long-term revenue pathways including sanctioned tournament rights, licensing, and brand partnerships.

This “ecosystem” approach seeks to create a defensible category that insulates the brand from competitors—a tactic often seen in the rapid commercialisation of sports like pickleball and padel.

The organisation’s credibility is supported by the involvement of Mike Brey, an assistant coach for the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks, who serves as an investor and advisor.

His presence suggests a focus on ensuring the technical skills developed in the 360-degree format are transferable to the traditional game, a necessity for long-term adoption by governing bodies and schools.

With a Year 1 target of 30 markets, the company plans to establish flagship complex partnerships before expanding into schools and community parks.

The non-stop 14-minute game format offers a high-density content opportunity that aligns with current trends in fast-paced, urban sports consumption.

Don’t miss out on the latest in sports business – Subscribe today to the free Ministry of Sport newsletter and stay ahead of the game. For even more exclusive insights, event tickets, professional development and networking events, become a MoS Member today!.

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Rec Sports

Shooting ruled accidental at Monarch Ridge, spotlight returns to troubled complex

Published

32 minutes ago

December 18, 2025

Your Sports Nation

A weekend shooting at Monarch Ridge Apartments, initially investigated as a homicide, has been ruled accidental by the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office. Despite the ruling, the incident has reignited concerns about safety at the complex, which has a history of violence.

Residents report that court-ordered safety measures, including surveillance cameras, license plate readers, security patrols, and a gated entrance with a guard, are now in place. However, some residents, like Dominic Lewis, believe the violence stems from outsiders. “The chaos it comes from outsiders that come up here. It’s not really the residents,” Lewis said.

The shooting involved an uncle and his nephew during a party inside an apartment. Although the incident was deemed accidental, it has drawn attention back to the complex’s safety record. Last year, the city of Birmingham filed a public nuisance lawsuit against Monarch Ridge after the fatal shooting of 21-year-old Asia Poole. The case settled in January, mandating the implementation of security measures.

While residents acknowledge the visible security improvements, some express concerns about the atmosphere they create. “I think a lot of this is really… adds to the chaos because you really… to be honest with this gate you really kind of feel in prison,” Lewis said. He emphasized the need for a more caring approach and long-term solutions, having recently met with City Attorney Nicole King to discuss potential paths forward.

The settlement includes a year-long court oversight, set to expire next month, leaving the future of these measures uncertain.

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Rec Sports

Agyemang wins Young Sports Personality of the Year | News

Published

41 minutes ago

December 18, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Michelle Agyemang has been named the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year for 2025.

Celebrating athletes who make history with their performances, the prestigious awards were held on Thursday night, and Michelle was selected by a panel of experts as the best young talent across all of British sport.

She came out on top against the previous winner Luke Littler who won the World Darts Championship this year, as well as cricketer Davina Perrin who became England’s second-top run scorer in the 2025 Women’s U19 T20 World Cup.

Michelle follows in the footsteps of other greats who have won the Young Sports Personality of the Year prize, including Wayne Rooney and Sir Andy Murray, while she is the second Gunner to win the prize while at the club, with Theo Walcott collecting the trophy in 2006.

Michelle enjoyed a successful season on loan at Brighton & Hove Albion last season, scoring five times in 22 appearances, before lighting the international stage on fire with England. Our striker scored 41 seconds into her Lionesses debut in the UEFA Nations League against Belgium, earning her a spot in the squad for Euro 2025.

She repaid Sarina Wiegman’s faith, scoring vital late equalisers against Sweden and Italy in the knockout stages, in matches England went on to win as they retained their title, and saw Michelle named the Young Player of the Tournament.

She also won the Golden Girl trophy as Europe’s best young player, and was nominated for the prestigious Kopa Trophy, handed to the world’s top under-21 female footballer.

Agyemang wins Young Player of the Tournament

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Rec Sports

Terrebonne Parish All-Stars youth sports programs to return in 2027

Published

2 hours ago

December 18, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Dec. 18, 2025, 12:05 p.m. CT

Terrebonne Parish Recreation suspended its All-Stars youth sports program due to recurring fights among parents.
A recreation supervisor cited multiple incidents, including parking lot brawls and altercations with referees, as the reason for the program’s halt.
The parish is implementing a “no tolerance” policy for parents, which includes signing a waiver and a ban on threats, verbal abuse and substance use.
Officials plan to test the new policy for a year and aim to reinstate the All-Stars program in 2027 if parental behavior improves.

When parents kept getting into fights at Terrebonne Parish Recreation’s sporting events, the government decided to put the All-Stars program in time out.

Terrebonne Parish’s All-Stars program began in the 1970s and abruptly ended about three years ago after parents of the athletes kept misbehaving, Bobby Arceneaux said. Arceneaux has been a supervisor with Terrebonne Parish Rec for 52 years, and he said he thought he had seen everything, but when he walked out of a girls softball game in Jefferson Parish to see parents getting into fistfights with the opposing team, he said it was time to take action.

“I guess what broke it was our last year, when we did away with it, the All-Stars girls, we were fighting in the parking lot amongst each other, and here came the cops from every direction,” he said. “And we were on the court and went after a referee the next day.

“‘I’m embarrassed as the girl’s director because we don’t have to do that.”

Terrebonne Parish Recreation Supervisor Bobby Arceneaux addresses the Parish Council about parents of athletes getting into fights at sporting events, December 17.

Arceneaux was called to speak Dec. 17 to the Terrebonne Parish Council after the council had questions about the status of the All-Stars program.

The program, he said, used to be a big deal for Terrebonne. It consisted of multiple competitive youth sports teams. The parish even hosted multiple Babe Ruth League World Championships in Dularge, drawing more than 70 teams to the parish.

When asked why the program was halted, what he said surprised the Council.

“I’m just in awe… we’re talkin’ about the parents are fighting? Is that what we are saying? I mean are we serious?” Councilman Brien Pledger asked. “And to the people that might be listening to this, it’s a damn shame… Don’t relive your glory days, it’s over with. Let your kids do their thing.”

According to Arceneaux, most of the parents were great, and some even served as coaches. Unfortunately, about five parents were threatening violence on officials and getting into fights. Their actions resulted in the parish being banned from several fields. Eventually it was enough, he said, and he called the then-head of Quality of Life Jim Wendell to suggest they close down the program for a while.

Terrebonne Parish Manager Noah Lirette said the parish has been working on a “no tolerance” policy, and parents now have to sign a waiver when they register their children for sports. The Rec. Districts agreed to put up signs displaying the rules in their gyms, and he expects them to be finished with the new policies by the start of the next season of each sport.

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Rec Sports

What NCAA’s New Wearables and Tracking Guidelines Mean for Youth Sports

Published

2 hours ago

December 18, 2025

Your Sports Nation

The NCAA’s approval of new guidance on performance technology use this week offers a preview of questions that youth sports organizations will increasingly face as wearables, biometric tracking, and AI-powered analysis tools become more prevalent at younger age levels.

The guidance, developed after a May summit in Indianapolis, establishes three foundational principles:

Performance technologies are just one tool (not a solution)
They carry unintended risks including mental health impacts
Organizations need written plans for data management, education, and continuous improvement

What the NCAA Guidelines Say

The NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports defined performance technologies as any devices that collect biometric or performance data. This includes wearables attached directly to athletes or equipment, as well as cameras, sensors, surveys, software, and mobile apps that monitor performance indirectly.

The guidance includes three types of statements: foundational statements (the most important takeaways), recommendation statements (general considerations), and strategy statements (for implementation). Key requirements include establishing written plans for technology use, educating relevant groups, managing and protecting athlete data, making informed purchasing decisions, and implementing continuous improvement processes.

The NCAA will begin educational programming at the 2026 Convention, with full consensus statements available in early 2026.

What New NCAA Wearable Guidelines Mean for Youth Sports

While the NCAA guidance applies only to collegiate athletics, the framework addresses issues already present in youth sports:

Data Privacy at Scale: Youth sports operators using GPS tracking, heart rate monitors, video analysis platforms, or recruiting apps collect data on minors. The NCAA’s emphasis on data management plans signals growing expectations that organizations must document how they protect athlete information.
The Mental Health Variable: If NCAA athletes with developed emotional regulation face mental health concerns from performance tracking, the implications for 10-14 year-olds receiving constant biometric feedback or video analysis deserve scrutiny. The guidance acknowledges what many youth sports operators have observed: more data does not always equal better development.
Governance Gap: The NCAA now has structured guidance. Most youth sports organizations do not. As these technologies become cheaper and more accessible, the question is not whether youth sports will use them, but whether operators will implement them with appropriate safeguards.

What Comes Next

The NCAA will roll out educational programming starting at the 2026 Convention, with full guidance available in early 2026. Youth sports organizations watching this space should consider: Do we have a written technology use plan? How are we addressing informed consent with parents? What metrics actually serve athlete development versus organizational marketing?

The technology is not going away. The NCAA’s move suggests the conversation about how to use it responsibly is just beginning, and youth sports will not be far behind.

via: AB

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