Not many people who are involved with Clairemont Hilltoppers today were even born in 1957, but that was the year that Little League play began at what is now known as Cadman Park. In 2006 we will be celebrating the 50th season of Clairemont Hilltoppers Little League, and we're planning a party to last the whole year. We want everyone who has ever been a player, a coach, an umpire, a board member, a sponsor or a fan of our league to participate in the celebration. Opening Day weekend will be March 4-5, 2006, with special ceremonies, an evening banquet and a Sunday picnic. Both present and former Hilltoppers will be taking part in all of these festivities, and we will continue to commemorate this special anniversary throughout the 2006 season. While it may seem like we're jumping the gun a little, we are very anxious to begin making contact with as many of our alumni as possible. A 50th Anniversary Committee is forming, and we invite your participation. We are also looking for any old programs, photos, scorebooks, banners or any other memorabilia that would mark the history of our league. We will simply scan or photograph these items and return any and all that you wish returned. Our greatest need right now is to get addresses, phone numbers and email adresses of as many former Hilltoppers as possible. Please contact either our 50th Anniversary Chairman Steve Conner or our League Information Officer Ken Cicalo if you can provide any of this contact info. We also desperately need financial assistance from sponsors large or small. If you or your company would be interested in being part in this once-in-a-lifetime Clairemont celebration, please download the handout at the bottom of this page or contact our officials listed below. Please bookmark this webpage and check back here often as we will continue to update this site with details of our plans as next year approaches. Steve Conner 50th Anniversary Chairman 858-270-1040 wconner2@san.rr.com Ken Cicalo League Information Officer 858-586-1861 KenC1313@yahoo.com

Clairemont Hilltoppers needs you!

We are always looking for both experienced umpires, as well as parents, coaches and older players who have a desire to enjoy this fun part of the game of baseball.

You don't have to be a rules "expert" or own your own umpire's gear. You just have to love the game, be level-headed, and have a willingness to learn.

Our league will be holding clinic at our fields this Saturday, February 23, with a chance to get out and see just how umpires handle game situations. The clinic will be held on our Padres field and will last approximately one hour. The clinic will cover key rules, game mechanics, dealing with parents and coaches and working with your umpire partner. Anyone age 12 or older with an interest in becoming an umpire is welcome to attend.

If you have any interest or would like more information, contact Umpire in Chief Roger Otterson (619-723-7332 or roger@sdnetweb.com). Get yourself in the game... you'll have the best seat in the house!

 

 

Thanks so much to all of those who came out to help with our big work party on Sunday, January 30! We had a great turnout and made huge progress in shaping up our complex for the new season. We did a great deal of work on both our South and Padres fields, and they are now getting close to Opening Day form. In addition, as you'll cerainly notice the next time you come to our fields, our sad looking scorebooth building on the Padres field is no longer an eyesore. We are converting it into a storage unit, and it will be nicely painted and a major improvement to our complex. The following are just some of the people who lent a hand to these projects (wth sincere apologies to anyone omitted): Kathy, Ryan and Trent Kuczon, Tito and Hiram Castillo, Logan McCarthy and his father, Warren and Lane Woolery, Joel and Jodi Crow, Rick Fife, Dave Granfors, Forrest Davis, Ross Majam, Bob Faudoa, Cheryl Del Colliano, Mike Michie, Mike Van Cleave, Bill Salonius, Mike Ruthenberg and Dave Pursel. Thank you all, and you can take extra pride this season in the appearance of our park. We will have at least one more work party prior to Opening Day. If you missed this one, be sure to come out the next time. It's a great combination of a little fresh air, some exercise, a great group of people and a chance to make Clairemont Hilltoppers a jewel in the community.

The season is officially under way and the only thing better than opening day is to have three of them!!! Due to soggy fields, some games were played Saturday, some Sunday and there are still some 'Opening Day' games to be played on Tuesday. Come on out and support our Hilltoppers for some mid-week ball! Many thanks to all who made all of our Opening Days both possible and successful! Thanks to Outback Steakhouse for their generosity, hard work and delicious food. Having companies such as Outback, who give back to their local community like this, makes our neighborhood a better place. Thanks to all the many volunteers who put in long hours over the last few weeks (and particularly on Saturday) to prep our fields, decorate the park and make our Opening Ceremonies a special time. The list of those who made a difference on that day is too long to list completely, but Mike Van Cleave, Bill Salonius, Mike Michie, Rhonda Ward, Melinda Murdock, Rita Fisher, Paula Worley, Ross Majam, Dave Granfors, David Hagopian, Joel and Jodi Crow, Mauro and Nico Garcia, Dave and Daniel Pursel, Brooke Hartwell, Troy Keltner, Mike Ruthenberg, Steve Conner, Bob Faudoa and Stacy Holder deserve special recognition. Thanks to all who came early and helped push water and dirt around, so we were able to get some ballgames played on Saturday and Sunday. Virtually no other leagues in San Diego were able to open their seasons or play games on Saturday, and it was because of the spirit and dedication of our Hilltoppers volunteers that we were able to keep it a special day for our kids. And finally, heartfelt thanks to our three marine guests: Lance Corporal William Stevens, Lance Corporal Brian McHale and Corporal Alfredo Martinez. These three fine young men, who have already sacrificed so much, got up early and gave up the better part of their day off to spend some time with us on Saturday. It was a very special time for those of us who had a chance to meet them, and we hope that in some small way it was a special day for them. It was great to see how both kids and parents welcomed them into our Hilltoppers family, and we hope they know they will remain in our thoughts. Enjoy the photos here from Opening Day, and check out some more pictures by clicking on the "Albums" link to the left and then clicking on "Opening Day".