Sports

A disc golf course is coming to the Greens Park in May. In this video, take a walk around the course with the designer and learn a bit about the game and plans for a league. Read more » about A first look at our new disc golf course

→ Photo gallery (93 photos from the day)

The T-ball Hurricanes were joined by Tigers, Cowboys and a real live goat at Stonehouse Park Saturday for Cosumnes River Little League opening day. Rob Winter, league president, welcomed two dozen uniformed teams and thanked the volunteers who make CRLL a reality, singling out Blake Carmichael for his years of support as a manager, board member and league president. Carmichael received a memorial brick and also threw out the first pitch. Josie Viegas, a Pleasant Grove High School senior and former CRLL player, received this year’s Christina Rodness Scholarship. CRLL youth coach Jack Gignilliat was announced as the recipient of the Christopher Walters Scholarship. The scholarships honor Rancho Murieta children whose memories are enshrined on plaques at the park. Boy Scout Troop 633 raised the flag and local pilots timed a fly-by to the last strains of the national anthem, and the opening ceremony concluded with the crowd singing “Take Me Out to The Ballgame.” Next up was a hot dog lunch prepared and served by Kiwanis Club volunteers before an afternoon of playing ball. (Click for larger image) Read more » about Joining hands for a new baseball season

→ Photo gallery: Pickleball social and play (5 photos)

John Vigil, the Country Club's tennis pro, huddles with 16 players who came out midday Saturday for a pickleball social to inaugurate the club's courts. Portable nets have been used to convert a tennis court into two pickleball courts, and Vigil paired up players for some pickleball play. The courts are open for pickleball to club members and their guests except for 7 to 11 a.m. on weekend days or if there's a tournament in progress. Some players chafed a bit at these restrictions and asked Vigil if the pickleball stripes could be painted a color with more contrast. (The stripes are hard to see – blue on a blue court.) Vigil promised to work with club management to see about the change. He also pointed out an advantage to club pickleballers – the court lights that will let them play after dark. Fans of the game have been pushing the Rancho Murieta Association to add pickleball courts beyond the ones at Riverview Park and the courts RMA added last year at Stonehouse Park. (Click for larger image) Read more » about Country Club opens pickleball courts

→ Video of the meeting (1 hour, 35 minutes)

At its monthly meeting, the Rancho Murieta Association board heard a sports organization’s pitch to be recognized as a community organization and to be allowed practice time on Rancho Murieta’s sports fields. Read more » Read more » about Sports group asks RMA for access to fields

Chris “Sauce” Ross connects for a grand-slam home run at Stonehouse Park Sunday, powering the Rancho Murieta Bandits to a 15-9 win and another Gold Country Vintage Base Ball trophy. In addition to the grand slam, Ross pitched five innings. The Bandits, 8-2 in league play, defeated the Repressa Pioneers, who had the league’s best record at 9-1. The game is played by the rules (and with the equipment) of baseball in the 1880s. Click photos for larger images.

Read more » about Bandits take trophy with 15-9 win

→ Photo gallery of paraders and viewers (80 photos)

The Cosumnes River Little League mid-season celebration began Sunday afternoon under sunny skies with a jubilant, candy-tossing parade to Stonehouse Park that set the stage for an opening ceremony twice postponed by rainy weather. After the smartly uniformed players assembled on the field and a contingent of planes from the Rancho Murieta Airport flew overhead, CRLL President Blake Carmichael thanked the volunteers who “make it possible for over 250 kids to play baseball and softball,” introduced the teams, and announced the winners of  the $1,000 league scholarships named in honor of two children in the community. Kianah Corey is the recipient of the Christina Rodness Scholarship and Jordan Remington received the Christopher Walters Scholarship. Both are graduating high school seniors and former Little Leaguers. The ceremony concluded with the national anthem, followed by Carmichael leading the crowd in singing “Take Me Out to The Ball Game.” Then it was time for a hot dog lunch. (Click photo for larger image.) Read more » about Little League parade: Third time's the charm

The Sacramento International Horse Show has been in residence over the last week at the Murieta Equestrian Center. Neighbor Paul Anderson, whose work was recently featured as part of the SOLOS calendar, got this shot. (Click photo for larger image.) Read more » about Up and over at the Equestrian Center