Eleven of our Clairemont Hilltoppers Little Leaguers appeared on the KUSI morning news on Monday, April 12, helping to celebrate the start of the Padres new season.

KUSI broadcast their "Good Morning San Diego" show from Petco Park that morning, previewing the Padres home opener, and our kids got to spend the morning hanging out in the Padres dugout! KUSI reporter Kerri Sargent spent the show with the kids, interviewing them about their favorite teams and players, leading them in a "rain poncho fashion show," and generally keeping everyone entertained and informed.

Padres right fielder Will Venable and relief pitcher Heath Bell both made appearances, and were terrific with the kids... answering questions, signing autographs and posing for pictures. Expect both Venable and Bell to have some new fans at CHLL this year.

Isaiah Ham, Ben Bruff Jr., Antonio Bautista, George Kinshofer, Grant & Colin Ruthenberg, Tyler Speidel, Morgan Albers, Ryan King, DJ Tinsley and Devin Fife were the Hilltoppers players selected to appear on the show, and all represented our league with pride.

Many thanks to Kerri Sargent for offering our kids this fun opportunity, which they will remember for years to come.

If you missed the show on April 12, here is a link to one of the segments from KUSI's website: http://www.kusi.com/news/goodmorning/90669044.html

"Good Morning San Diego" airs weekdays from 6-9 a.m. on KUSI 9/51.